Automatic Merchandiser serves the business management, marketing, technology and product information needs of its readers including vending operators, coffee service operators, product brokers, and product and equipment distributors in print.
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O'Brien, vice president of sales/vending at Biscomerica Corporation. "Thank you for voting for Sun-Maid Blueberry with Greek Yogurt Chips Cookies." In line with consumer demands for better-for-you products, WHEAT THINS Popped was voted the best seller in the salted snack category. WHEAT THINS Popped are available in two fa- vors, Sea Salt and Sour Cream & Onion with each serving containing only 90 calories, no choles- terol, no HFCS, no partially hydrogenated oils and no artifcial fa- vors or colors. WHEAT THINS Popped deliver a light and crunchy popped chip with 7 grams of whole grain per serving. AdvancePierre™ introduced to its BIG AZ line its frst grilled chicken offering, the BIG AZ® Chicken Bacon Cheddar Club , which was voted the best selling product in the food category. According to Tech- nomic, chicken sand- wiches are one of the fastest-growing sand- wich segments and have gained popu- larity in the quick- service restaurant and casual dining industries. "Advan- cePierre™ Foods is honored that our BIG AZ® Chicken Bacon Ched- dar Club was voted to be the 2015 food product of the year by Auto- matic Merchandiser readers," said Nancy Todys, vice president of convenience marketing at AdvancePierre™ Foods. Todys believes that the company's newest addition to the BIG AZ line refects con- sumers' growing preferences for grilled chicken and club sandwiches as well as their continued desire for big value. Partnership and innovation Manufacturers are looking outside the box to innovate products and drive sales for operators. Brent Bradshaw, Flow- ers Foods' vice president of marketing, believes that innovative products and new partnerships with popular brands are what drive excitement. Flowers Foods' Mrs. Freshley's® Peanut Butter Flavored Swiss Rolls won over the vot- ers in the pastry cat- egory. Peanut butter enthusiasts appre- ciated the product's variation on the traditional creme- flled cake, which combines REESE'S® Peanut Butter flling with chocolate cake covered in a peanut butter-striped, choco- late-favored coating. "I'm proud of our team's hard work and we're thrilled to receive this recognition," said Bradshaw. In the candy category, the winner Mars Chocolate North America added a new twist on a cus- tomer favorite with the MILKY WAY® Brand French Vanilla and Caramel Bar . The new favor is a combination of creamy caramel and smooth French vanilla-favored nougat covered in milk Mrs. Freshley's ® Peanut Butter Flavored Swiss Rolls By Flowers Foods Pastry Wheat Thins Popped By Mondelez International Salted Snack Big AZ ® Chicken Bacon Cheddar Club By AdvancePierre ™ Food CONSUMERS are putting an emphasis on ingredients. 48 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com April 2015 R E A D E R S ' C H O I C E A W A R D S 2 0 1 5