Convenience Retailer Show Daily • October 17, 2025 by OserCommunicationsGroup

impressed by Trevelino/Keller’s experience launching brands that have challenged traditional business models,” shares Ben Gaskill, Chief Executive Officer of Bluebox Smart Ice and Water “Our relationship with T/K will enable us to generate more leads, increase our visibility online and position our leadership team as industry experts We offer a turn-key solution that is profitable, and T/K will help us amplify our reach to key decision makers in the convenience store industry and beyond ”

g , p p y p , announced the acquisition of Minus Forty QBD Corp., a leading manufacturer of commercial refrigeration solutions serving customers across the United States and Canada. The transaction represents a transformational milestone in the retail refrigeration industry, uniting two highly complementary businesses with strong customer relationships and diverse product portfolios. Together, AeriTek and Due North will form a scaled, global platform well-positioned to deliver innovative, high-quality and energy-efficient refrigeration solutions to customers worldwide.

The addition of Due North’s respected brands, QBD and Minus Forty, perfectly complements AeriTek’s current portfolio by broadening its client reach, further diversifying its product portfolio and strengthening its market presence in the United States. The combined company will serve a broad range of customers across beverage, foodservice, convenience store and micro-market channels, supported by a comprehensive product portfolio and expanded North American distribution network.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Due North into the AeriTek family,” said

SDaily how RETAILERConvenience

Dream Water: 35 Million Shots of Sleep – and Growing

BOOTH #N2633

Dream Water®, the original liquid sleep aid, has helped millions of people Shush Your Mind™ and fall asleep faster With over 35 million sleep shots sold worldwide, it’s no surprise that this non-habit-forming sleep solution is quickly becoming a goto product in convenience retail

Available in 2 5-ounce zero-calorie liquid Sleep Shots, 6-count vegan-friendly Sleep Gummy packs and convenient single-serve Sleep Powder Sticks, Dream Water offers a clean and effective way to achieve high-quality sleep – anytime, anywhere. All Dream Water products are sugar-free, gluten-free and contain no

Packaged Ice Industry

announces its client relationship with Bluebox Smart Ice and Water, the packaged ice industry’s first on-premise ice and water vending solution operating as the first “Ice-as-a-Service” enterprise

impressed by Trevelino/Keller’s experience launching brands that have challenged traditional business models,” shares Ben Gaskill, Chief Executive Officer of Bluebox Smart Ice and Water “Our relationship with T/K will enable us to generate more leads, increase our visibility online and position our leadership team as industry experts. We offer a turn-key solution that is profitable, and T/K will help us amplify our reach to key decision makers in the convenience store industry and beyond.”

Crazy Monkey Introduces Mini Granola Bites

BOOTH #S6394

Building on the success of its popular gluten-free Granola Bites, Crazy Monkey Baking is now offering a 2-ounce package in its top three flavors: Dark Chocolate, Salted Caramel and Blueberry. According to Matt Figley, Brand President, “It’s a great packaging alternative for stores that want to place our Granola Bites in their queuing lanes, peg sections or just about anywhere in the store ” Crazy Monkey Granola Bites are the perfect combination of granola and a cookie containing 15 grams of whole grains per 30 gram serving Unlike loose granola, these bite-sized pieces are great for in-the-car or on-the-go, providing a snack for all occasions

Crazy Monkey Baking is b a s e d i n G r a n d R a p i d s , Michigan, and offers a wide range of snacks in both branded and private label to retailers across the United States

For more information, go to www crazymonkeybaking

AeriTek Global Holdings LLC, a portfolio company of Mill Point Capital LLC, announced the acquisition of Minus Forty QBD Corp , a leading manufacturer of commercial refrigeration solutions serving customers across the United States and Canada The transaction represents a transformational milestone in the retail refrigeration industry, uniting two highly complementary businesses with strong customer relationships and diverse product portfolios Together, AeriTek and Due North will form a scaled, global platform well-positioned to deliver innovative, high-quality and energy-efficient refrigeration solutions to customers worldwide.

The addition of Due North’s respected brands, QBD and Minus Forty, perfectly complements AeriTek’s current portfolio by broadening its client reach, further diversifying its product portfolio and strengthening its market presence in the United States The combined company will serve a broad range of customers across beverage, foodservice, convenience store and micro-market channels, supported by a comprehensive product portfolio and expanded North American distribution network.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Due North into the AeriTek family,” said A n t o n y B e s s o , E x e c u t i v e

Amaretto ADRIATICO Shakes up the Amaretto Market

A m a r e t t o A D R I A T I C O , a n i n n o v

and modern Italian amaretto brand

U . S . launch of Amaretto ADRIATICO Zero, a non-alcoholic amaretto that reimagines the beloved liqueur for mindful drinkers The announcement follows on the heels of its recent win at Bar Convent Brooklyn’s Brand Accelerator

P i t c h C o m p e t i t i o n , d r u m m i n g u p excitement for the brand in the United States Amaretto ADRIATICO Zero joins t h e p o r t f o l i o o f 1 0 0 % I t a l i a n - m a d e amarettos in its United States expansion, including its signature Amaretto

A D R I A T I C O R o a s t e d a l m o n d s , a f u l l proof liqueur made from slow roasted Puglia almonds with a pinch of sea salt from the Adriatic Sea and Amaretto ADRIATICO Bianco, a low ABV, first-ofi t s - k i n d w h i t e a m a r e t t o m a d e f r o m crushed raw unroasted almonds

A m a r e t t o A D R I A T I C O s e t s i t s e l f apart in the United States and global a m a r e t t o m a r k e t p l a c e t h r o u g h i t s unique recipe and production process. While other popular brands are made primarily using apricot pits or other s t o n e f r u i t , A m a r e t t o A D R I A T I C O ’ s p o r t f o l i o i s c r a f t e d e x c l u s i v e l y w i t h hand-picked Filippo Cea almonds from Puglia and a reduced amount of cane sugar, resulting in 50% the sweetness of traditional brands

Co-Founder of Amaretto ADRIATICO.

“Building on this momentum, we are

United States market for consumers that are looking to moderate their alcohol consumption With the introduction of the Non-Alcoholic Zero expression, together with our unique, low

ADRIATICO offers United States consumers a diverse portfolio for any occasion ”

September, the Filippo Cea almonds from Puglia for Amaretto ADRIATICO are hand-picked, sun-dried and never t r e a t e d w i t h p e s t i c i d e s A m a r e t t o

A D R I A T I C O ’ s p r o c e s s e n s u r e s a b a lanced, authentic recipe designed to be sipped neat, served as an aperitif or mixed into elevated cocktails, such as the variety of cocktail recipes designed by Amaretto ADRIATICO mixologists specifically for its Roasted, Zero and Bianco expressions

Crafted in the heart of Puglia, Italy, all of the elements of Amaretto ADRI-

A T I C O h a v e b e e n i n s p i r e d b y a n d reflect the tradition and beauty of the southern Italian region The bottle itself was inspired by the medieval architect u r e o f P u g l i a ’ s h i s t o r i c C a s t e l d e l

Monte Similar to the castle, the bottle was designed using the ‘golden ratio’ to obtain a so-called ‘divine’ ergonomics

amaretto market in the United States is driving the expansion of Amaretto ADRIATICO In addition, the growth of the No-Alcohol category in the United States is putting Amaretto ADRIATICO Zero in a strong position for its United States launch. An IWSR analysis of the 2024 no/low-alcohol market reports that the “United States added 37 mill i o n n

a l c o h

w n o

n s u m e r s between 2022 and 2024” and that the no-alcohol spirits category has a projected compound annual growth rate of +7% between 2024 and 2028 in top global markets

A New Generation of Amaretto

The entire portfolio is made from 100% Filippo Cea almonds from Puglia and certified vegan and dairy-free

• A m a r e t t o A D R I A T I C O R o a s t e d A l m o n d s – C r a f t e d w i t h r o a s t e d

almonds from Puglia, offering deep, nutty complexity. A pinch of salt from the Adriatic Sea gives this amaretto a unique flavor profile and less sugar c o m p a r e d t o t r a d i t i o n a l a m a r e t t o liqueurs

“During our United States-based launch we discovered bartenders and m i x o l o g i s t s w e r e q u i c k l y b e c o m i n g early adopters of our unique amaretto liqueurs for their cocktail programs, and consumers love the quality and t a s t e p r o f i l e o u r a u t h e n t i c

Bellanger expands, “My fascination with amaretto started with my love for tiramisu, one of my favorite desserts

e c i p e s

My Italian mother always topped off her recipe with two drops of amaretto This sparked curiosity and a sort of crea t i v e p a s s i o n f o r t h e l i q u e u r W i t h

Amaretto ADRIA T I C O , w e a r e striving to redefine the amaretto category and change the perc e p t i o n o f t h e

l i q u e u r i n t h e industry For us, t h a t c h a n g e starts in Puglia, with 100% locall y g r o w n almonds, pinche s o f A d r i a t i c Sea salt and less

c a n e s u g a r

Amaretto ADRIATICO is a new

p r e m i u m s t y l e of amaretto that h a s b e e n m i s si n g f r o m t h e marketplace for too long ” H a r v e s t e d

• Amaretto ADRIATICO Zero – A nonalcoholic amaretto bursting with all the notes and signature flavors of a traditional amaretto, but made for mindful drinking occasions. ADRIATICO Zero is created with the same process as its s i g n a t u r e r e c i p e u s i n g 1 0 0 % I t a l i a n a l m o n d s , b u t w i t h t h e a l c o h o l removed

• Amaretto ADRIATICO Bianco – This white amaretto is a unique, dairy-free, VeganOK certified liqueur that was discovered through a mistake in the distillation process It is now a coveted part of the Amaretto ADRIATICO portfolio, offering a bright, silky expression made with crushed, unroasted almonds, reminiscent of a boozy almond milk This low ABV (16%) liqueur can be served as an aperitivo, neat with two drops of lemon juice or to elevate cocktails as a modifier with Mezcal, tequila or rum.

Earlier this year, Amaretto ADRIATICO became the first award recipient of t h e i n a u g u r a l B C B B r o o k l y n B r a n d

A c c e l e r a t o r P i t c h C o m p e t i t i o n

Presented in partnership with Women o f t h e V i n e & S p i r i t s ® & D i v e r s e

P o w e r e d B r a n d s ™ t h i s c o m p e t i t i o n

s h o w c a s e d e m e r g i n g b e v e r a g e

b r a n d s i n f r o n t o f a l i v e a u d i e n c e , including a panel of influential indust r y l e a d e r s a n d d e c i s i o n - m a k e r s a t

B C B B r o o k l y n i n J u n e D e s i g n e d t o

s p o t l i g h t i n n o v a t i o n , c r e a t i v i t y a n d

market potential, Amaretto ADRIATICO was selected based on its brand

story, market viability, creativity, product quality and overall presentation, earning Amaretto ADRIATICO and its founders a prize package valued at more than $51,000 United States Amaretto ADRIATICO Roasted and Bianco retail for $38 SRP, and Amaretto ADRIATICO Zero retails for $32 SRP A

more than 40 countries worldwide and is currently distributed in the United States in New York (Empire Merchants), Georgia (Savannah), Connecticut (CDI), Oklahoma (Premium Brands), Maryland &

launch in Massachusetts (Martignetti)

Zero debuts in New York City through Empire Merchants’ new non-alcoholic division.

About Amaretto ADRIATICO

Amaretto ADRIATICO is a new

from hand-picked Filippo Cea almonds. Vegan, naturally less sweet and innovating with unique expressions like Bianco and the first-ever

alcoholic Zero, ADRIATICO is redefining how the world experiences amaretto Today, ADRIATICO is available in more than 40 countries worldwide

Easy Street Is Changing Up the Poultry Aisle

With a Fresh Twist on Chicken

Easy Street, a new line of street food-

, i s rolling out to grocery stores across 10 s t a t e s T h e p r o d u c t s c o m e

trimmed, pre-diced and dry-seasoned, offering zero prep and designed to cook from pack to plate in under seven minutes

Initial flavors include Street Taco, K o r e a n B B Q a n d R

pipeline of innovative seasonal vari-

d poultry options, Easy Street uses dry seasoning rather than wet marinades or added oils, with no preservatives or artificial dyes

Easy Street is the first consumer launch from Zach Fine, Chief Executive Officer of One Fine Family and Holly P o u l t r y , o n e o f t h e M i d - A t l a n t i c ’ s largest poultry producers Fine, who worked his way up from the ground floor of his family’s business to become Chief Executive Officer in 2018, helped Holly more than double in size and

Dream Water (Cont’d from p 1)

artificial colors Powered by the proprietary SleepStat™ Blend of GABA, melatonin and 5-HTP, Dream Water works naturally to help consumers relax, fall a s l e e p , s t a y a s l e e p a n d w a k e u p refreshed – without grogginess

The products are tailored for onthe-go lifestyles, making them ideal for convenience shoppers Whether it’s a red-eye flight, hotel stays, jet lag or simply a disrupted bedtime routine, Dream Water provides a simple grab-

AeriTek (Cont’d. from p. 1)

Chairman of AeriTek and Partner of Operations at Mill Point Capital “Their rich history of innovation, robust customer base and differentiated design capabilities perfectly complement our own This combination gives us a sig-

Now, he’s bringing that foodservice know-how to the consumer side with One Fine Family’s first retail launch “Quality ingredients and convenience shouldn’t come at a premium

The brand is positioned to resonate with busy parents, young professionals and anyone seeking proteinrich, better-for-you options that don’t r e q u i r e c l e a n u p o r p l a n n i n g P r etrimmed and pre-diced means fast and consistent cooking, perfect for griddles, stovetops, tacos, bowls and more. Easy Street’s suggested MSRP is $6 99 per package, which can feed up to a family of four Introductory promotions

Our goal is to make fresh, never frozen, antibiotic-free chicken meals available to everyone, without overcomplicating dinner,” said Fine “We built Easy Street to be the easiest yes of your week –something that’s flavorful, affordable and just makes sense.”

and-go solution for sleep support

Dream Water Liquid Sleep Shots are available in:

• O r i g i n a l i n S n o o z e b e r r y a n d Nighttime Nectar flavors for core sleep support

• Immunity with added immune-support ingredients

• Beauty with Biotin for sleep + skin, hair and nails

For customers who prefer a chewa b l e o p t i o n , D r e a m W

r S l e e p Gummies deliver the same benefits in a

nificantly larger presence in the U.S. market and the scale and expertise to execute our Value Creation Plan and unlock meaningful growth opportunities

are expected to offer consumers limited-time pricing as low as $4 99 and $5 99 in the coming weeks, delivering even further value without compromise

Backed by decades of sourcing, production and culinary expertise, Easy

great-tasting, sugar-free gummy format They contain no gelatin and are fully vegan-friendly Each 6-count pack provides three nights of restful sleep, making it a perfect travel companion or bedside essential

Dream Water Sleep Powder Sticks are a delicious, portable alternative – mix with hot or cold water, or take straight for a fast-acting, travel-ready sleep solution

As consumer demand for wellness and functional convenience products continues to rise, Dream Water gives retailers a valuable new revenue stream

Street is currently on shelves at Aldi,

, Safeway, Hannaford, Shaw’s and Harris Teeter in the pipeline “

Easy Street in the market right now,” said Fine. “We’re offering something that’s flavorful, high-quality and truly affordable for families, and that combination just doesn’t exist in this category What’s even more exciting is being able to launch with such strong retail support from day one, making it accessible for everyone right out of the gate.”

As part of its mission, One Fine Family and its brands, including Easy Street, are committed to giving back T h

thousands of pounds of chicken annually to grassroots organizations and disaster relief efforts across the country, from feeding families in need locally to supplying product for emergency response in times of crisis. Over the past five years, it has contributed an average of more than 350,000 pounds annually

easystreetmeals com

within the growing Health & Beauty Care category With fast-turning SKUs, loyal repeat customers and high perceived value, Dream Water is an ideal front-end offering for impulse-driven sales. Stop by booth #N2633 to learn more about the product line and how Dream Water can help your customers get the sleep they need – naturally and conveniently

For more information, visit www.drink dreamwater.com, email mwilliams@delivra health com or stop by booth #N2633

McDermott Will & Emery LLP and Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP served as legal counsel to Mill Point Capital and AeriTek

aeritekglobal com

m e r b u y s i c e o r

w a t e r , w i t h o u t e v e r m a n a g i n g i n v e nt o r y a n d m a x i m i z i n g t h e i r f o o t p r i n t

“When we launched Carvana in 2012, the car buying industry lacked innovation, and Carvana had ambitious plans to change the way consumers purchased used cars. Bluebox is going to change the way convenience stores

and grocery stores sell ice,” notes Dean Trevelino, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Trevelino/Keller “That translates to the way consumers buy ice It’s a little bit of déjà vu for us, and we’re excited to be in the ‘driver’s seat’ again from a communications standpoint ”

Trevelino/Keller, known for its success in elevating brands and driving measurable results, will implement a multi-channel strategy combining PR a n d g r o w t h m a r k e t i n g e f

T h i s includes earned and paid media, content development, SEO and lead generation

About Trevelino/Keller T r e v e l i n o / K e l l e r i s a n I n t e g r a t

o - t o - m a r k e t

a n d a c c e l e r a t e d g r o w t h p r o g r a m -

m i n g I n 2 0 2 4 , i t a c q u i r e d M a r s d e n

M a r k e t i n g , a n a t i o n a l l y r e c o g n i z e d

g r o w t h m a r k e t i n g f i r m , a s p a r t o f i t s

g r o w t h m a r k e t i n g e x p a n s i o n , w h i c h

f e a t u r e s H u b S p o t P l a t i n u m P a r t n e r

S t a t u s . I t s v e r t i c a l m a r k e t B 2 B d e p t h i s a c k n o w l e d g e d b y i t s n a t i o n a l r a n k -

i n g i n 1 2 i n d u s t r y s e g m e n t s l e d b y

t e c h n o l o g y , h e a l t h c a r e , f i n a n c i a l

s e r v i c e s , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , m a n u f a c t u r -

i n g , e n e r g y a n d f r a n c h i s i n g

R e c o g n i z e d a s o n e o f t h e 2 9 b e s t

f i r m s t o w o r k f o r i n N o r t h A m e r i c a , i t

c o n t i n

About Bluebox Smart Ice and Water Bluebox Smart Ice and Water is disrupting the packaged ice convenience store industry with Ice as a Service enterprise offering, modernizing the end-to-end ice and water fulfillment ecosystem With patented, single-moving-part dispensing technology, VersaVend™, Bluebox eliminates the negative implications for every touchpoint in today’s current environment and offers enterprises a revenue share model that’s a scalable, self-serve, space-neutral, virtually laborless, eco-friendly 24/7 vending solution

Bluebox (Cont’d from p 1)