7-Eleven introduces NERDS candy-flavored Slurpees

The limited-time flavor was created in collaboration with Ferrara Candy Co. and features a mashup of strawberry and grape.

The first NERDS-flavored Slurpee drink has hit 7-Eleven stores. The limited-time flavor is a mashup of two of its most iconic flavors — strawberry and grape.

7-Eleven collaborated with Ferrara Candy Company [No. 2 on the Candy Industry 2019 Global Top 100] to create the exclusive flavor described as "delicious, tangy grape and strawberry that taste just like your favorite NERDS candy."

"Slurpee customers, particularly younger ones, love to create fun frozen treats by mixing their favorite candy and Slurpee flavors," said Jacob Barnes, 7-Eleven proprietary beverages product director. "When we started hearing social media chatter that people were suggesting we come out with a NERDS Slurpee, we thought it was a great idea. And, if Slurpee fans want to mix their NERDS Slurpee drinks with NERDS candy, even better. NERDS candy is one of the best-selling non-chocolate candy brands in our stores."

NERDS candy first hit the U.S. market in 1983 and in 1985, the National Candy Wholesalers Association awarded NERDS "Candy of the Year" honors. The Single Dual Chamber box has two compartments each filled with a separate flavor. Grape and strawberry is the original dual flavor combination, which is still available today along with many other NERDS offerings.

"NERDS is excited to be collaborating with 7-Eleven to deliver an interactive and a one-of-a-kind Slurpee experience," said Katie Duffy, senior director of Marketing, Ferrara Candy Company. "Fans will be able to 'nerd out' with 7-Eleven and NERDS candy this fall."

Two Slurpee trucks, cleverly disguised as yellow school buses full of the whimsical NERDS characters, will visit college campuses and sporting events to hand out free cups of the new grape strawberry NERDS-flavored Slurpee and packages of NERDS candy.

The NERDS Slurpee 2019 College Tour will make stops in Texas and Midwest states throughout the fall. For more information about the Slurpee NERDS "bus" stop dates and locations, look for Slurpee social media posts on Instagram and Twitter. The colorful Slurpee truck offers a bright backdrop for post-worthy pictures of samplers' NERDS experience.

Crystal Lindell, Former editor-in-chief of Candy Industry Magazine. While here she has worked on Candy Industry Magazine, Food Engineering Magazine and Food Safety Strategies. She holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. And her favorite breakfast is a cup of espresso and Twix bar.