.
The deal with 7-Eleven for individually
wrapped muffins and snack cakes marks the first distribution
deal for Weight Watchers at a national convenience store.
In addition, the company is rolling out
portion control lines of cheese and soft-baked cookies in
grocery stores, as it increases the range of its products for
weight-conscious Americans.
The company has been been stepping up the
pace of introducing food items sold in major U.S. supermarket
chains, said Stacy Gordon, the company's vice president of
licensing and products.
Foods with the Weight Watchers name are
expected to generate $500 million in retail sales this year, up
150% from fiscal 2005.
The company had revenues of $87.5 million in
fiscal 2006 from world-wide licensing, franchise royalties and
other fees, a 17% increase over fiscal 2005, according to its
annual report.