skyway
Well-known member
Associated Press
Harley-Davidson Inc. is selling a new source of fuel, one that goes into mouths instead of gas tanks and comes in flavors including teriyaki and pepper.
The iconic motorcycle maker is joining forces with ConAgra Foods to sell beef jerky and tap into the growing meat-snack business.
The two companies plan to make the announcement today in Las Vegas at the trade show for the National Association of Convenience Stores.
The product, thick slices of smoked, lean steak, is slated to sell in packs of 3.25 ounces for $5.99 at convenience and grocery stores, Harley-Davidson dealerships and truck stops.
Shipments of the three varieties — teriyaki, pepper and original flavor — will begin Jan. 8, ConAgra said.
The venture marks the first time Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson has lent its name and black-and-orange logo to a food product, said Tom Parsons, general manager of general merchandise.
The company has considered making edible products, such as barbecue sauce and spices, in the past, but nothing fit with the brand and its image like jerky, Parsons said. Riders are always looking for good food on the go, so the jerky will be billed as "Road Food," he said. Its small size makes it perfect to stick into saddlebags, he said.
"It's high-protein, low-fat good stuff. You put it in your pocket, keep on eating and keep on riding," Parsons said.
ConAgra makes several types of jerky, including Pemmican jerky strips and Slim Jims, one of the best sellers in their category, said Paul Lapadat, head of snack foods for ConAgra.
Popular low-carb diets have helped boost sales of meat snacks in the past few years, Lapadat said. Sales increased 75 percent from 2004 to last year, when they reached $2.7 billion, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores' 2006 survey.
Lapadat said jerky sales make up a majority of the meat snack category, which also includes meat nuggets, shreds and pickled varieties.
ConAgra also plans to announce today that it will soon sell a "Monster Stick" version of Slim Jims, weighing in at 1.94 ounces — double the size of the original Slim Jim, Lapadat said. Shipments are expected to start in January.
ConAgra plans to promote Harley-Davidson jerky by distributing it at motorcycle rallies and dealerships. The company also plans to make use of Harley's distinctive logo with in-store displays, he said.
Lapadat said the company hopes to distribute the snack nationwide and make jerky fans out of motorcycle enthusiasts who might not have eaten it before.
"We're targeting folks that obviously have a preference for beef jerky, but we also think that we're going to bring new users to the category because of the strong brand power of Harley-Davidson and the affinity that people have for the Harley-Davidson brand," he said.
Shares of Harley-Davidson closed down 22 cents at $63.94 in trading Monday on the New York Stock Exchange. The company plans to announce third- quarter earnings Thursday.
Shares of ConAgra closed up 1 cent to $25.00 on the New York Stock Exchange.
"It's high-protein, low-fat, good stuff. You put it in your pocket, keep on eating and keep on riding."
Tom Parsons, general manager of general merchandise for Harley-Davidson.
Harley-Davidson Inc. is selling a new source of fuel, one that goes into mouths instead of gas tanks and comes in flavors including teriyaki and pepper.
The iconic motorcycle maker is joining forces with ConAgra Foods to sell beef jerky and tap into the growing meat-snack business.
The two companies plan to make the announcement today in Las Vegas at the trade show for the National Association of Convenience Stores.
The product, thick slices of smoked, lean steak, is slated to sell in packs of 3.25 ounces for $5.99 at convenience and grocery stores, Harley-Davidson dealerships and truck stops.
Shipments of the three varieties — teriyaki, pepper and original flavor — will begin Jan. 8, ConAgra said.
The venture marks the first time Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson has lent its name and black-and-orange logo to a food product, said Tom Parsons, general manager of general merchandise.
The company has considered making edible products, such as barbecue sauce and spices, in the past, but nothing fit with the brand and its image like jerky, Parsons said. Riders are always looking for good food on the go, so the jerky will be billed as "Road Food," he said. Its small size makes it perfect to stick into saddlebags, he said.
"It's high-protein, low-fat good stuff. You put it in your pocket, keep on eating and keep on riding," Parsons said.
ConAgra makes several types of jerky, including Pemmican jerky strips and Slim Jims, one of the best sellers in their category, said Paul Lapadat, head of snack foods for ConAgra.
Popular low-carb diets have helped boost sales of meat snacks in the past few years, Lapadat said. Sales increased 75 percent from 2004 to last year, when they reached $2.7 billion, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores' 2006 survey.
Lapadat said jerky sales make up a majority of the meat snack category, which also includes meat nuggets, shreds and pickled varieties.
ConAgra also plans to announce today that it will soon sell a "Monster Stick" version of Slim Jims, weighing in at 1.94 ounces — double the size of the original Slim Jim, Lapadat said. Shipments are expected to start in January.
ConAgra plans to promote Harley-Davidson jerky by distributing it at motorcycle rallies and dealerships. The company also plans to make use of Harley's distinctive logo with in-store displays, he said.
Lapadat said the company hopes to distribute the snack nationwide and make jerky fans out of motorcycle enthusiasts who might not have eaten it before.
"We're targeting folks that obviously have a preference for beef jerky, but we also think that we're going to bring new users to the category because of the strong brand power of Harley-Davidson and the affinity that people have for the Harley-Davidson brand," he said.
Shares of Harley-Davidson closed down 22 cents at $63.94 in trading Monday on the New York Stock Exchange. The company plans to announce third- quarter earnings Thursday.
Shares of ConAgra closed up 1 cent to $25.00 on the New York Stock Exchange.
"It's high-protein, low-fat, good stuff. You put it in your pocket, keep on eating and keep on riding."
Tom Parsons, general manager of general merchandise for Harley-Davidson.
