Thanasi Foods Announces Three New FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Meat Snacks

Success of FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Original Beef Jerky Drives Demand for More


BOULDER, CO – December 17, 2007 - Thanasi Foods LLC, a leading developer and supplier of branded foods, today announced the addition of three mouth-watering new meat snacks to its FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ line of branded snack foods. FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Original Sausage Sticks and FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Chile ‘n Lime Sausage Sticks are currently shipping to key distributors and retailers nationwide. FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Chile ‘n Lime Steak Strips will begin shipping in February, 2008. These new items will be delivered to more than 4000 retail locations, including 7-Eleven, RaceTrac, Love’s Travel Stops, Flying J, Maverick, and Turkey Hill stores with the support of such distributors as McLane Company, Core-Mark International, Eby-Brown, and DeRosa Sales among others.

Like the FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Original Beef Jerky, these zesty new snacks were created through an agreement between Thanasi Foods and French’s Foods, a division of Reckitt Benckiser Inc., owner of the FRANK’S® REDHOT® Brand. The agreement between Thanasi Foods and FRANK’S RedHot was facilitated by Brandgenuity, LLC, FRANK’S® RedHot® licensing agency of record. The FRANK’S REDHOT snacks are the newest in Thanasi Foods’ successful line of snack foods targeting additional retail channels and new consumer segments.

“We are gratified by the national success of our FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Original Beef Jerky and excited about the many positive consumer responses we are receiving. With the proven success the brand has had within the c-store, grocery, mass, and military channels, we are pleased to provide consumers with our three new thrilling snacks,” commented Justin Havlick, president and CEO of Thanasi Foods. “”We believe these items are true innovations to the category that directly meet the needs of consumers looking for exciting alternatives to current options in flavored meat snacks on the shelf today. FRANK’S® REDHOT® sauces have a unique, deliciously hot, and memorable flavor profile that perfectly compliment our new line-up of foods. We urge all of our consumers and the many fans of FRANK’S® REDHOT® Sauces to try them.”

“We are delighted to add new product formats and flavor profiles to the beef jerky line based on the initial success with the original variety. FRANK’S® RedHot® Chile ’n Lime™ Hot Sauce combines savory heat with a tangy twist to create a unique flavor which perfectly compliments a meat snack . We are pleased to offer consumers new ways to enjoy FRANK’S® REDHOT®,” stated Barbara Yaros, director of Marketing Services at French’s Foods.

ABOUT FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Sausage Sticks
The taste of a great, wrapped sausage stick just took a turn for the better. With the authentic bite of a great American deli sausage comes a punch of FRANK’S® REDHOT® flavor that will thrill consumers. The blend of FRANK’S REDHOT in a true spicy stick is an ideal match. The new 1.15 oz. FRANK’S REDHOT Sausage Sticks are available in Original and Chile ‘n Lime flavors, both shipping in 30-count shelf display caddies. Available now!

About FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Chile ‘n Lime Steak Strips
The new FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Chile ‘n Lime Steak Strips are a format and flavor unmatched in snacks! Made from full-flavored beef steak that is marinated in FRANK’S® REDHOT® Chile ‘n Lime Hot Sauce, these Steak Strips impart a tenderness and flavor that is sure to become a favorite among consumers nationwide. The 3.5 oz. FRANK’S REDHOT Steak Strips are available in 12-count cases, along with various point-of-sale display vehicles. Available February 1, 2008!

For more information about FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Original Beef Jerky, FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Sausage Sticks, and FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ Steak Strips visit www.FRANKSREDHOTSNACKS.com.


About Thanasi Foods
Thanasi Foods LLC is a privately held, Boulder, Colo.-based developer and supplier of household branded foods. Established in 2003, Thanasi Foods’ Jim Beam™ and FRANK’S™ REDHOT™ snack products can be found in over 40,000 U.S. retail locations today with a growing retail share. For information about Thanasi Foods and the company’s products, visit their website at www.THANASIFOODS.com.

About French’s Foods of Reckitt Benckiser Inc.
FRANK’S REDHOT was created on the banks of the Ohio River when Jacob Frank began experimenting with Louisiana Sunlongs, a special strain of cayenne peppers that offers a zesty full-bodied taste. The unique essence of these special cayenne peppers is then combined with vinegar and spices, and aged to perfection. The result is history: the perfect blend of flavor and heat® for almost a century and counting. FRANK’S REDHOT is the secret ingredient used in the original Buffalo Wing created in Buffalo, NY in 1964.

FRENCH’S Foods, a division of Reckitt Benckiser Inc., the maker of FRANK’S REDHOT Cayenne Pepper Sauce, is a leading manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of food and household products. Some other well known, trusted household names in the Reckitt Benckiser Inc. family of food products include CATTLEMEN’S® Barbecue Sauce, FRENCH’S® mustards, FRENCH’S® French Fried Onions, and FRENCH’S® Potato Sticks.

About Brandgenuity
Brandgenuity LLC, an independent trademark licensing agency based in New York with offices in Los Angeles, provides turnkey licensing services to owners of famous trademarks. The agency’s four principals, Jay Asher, Adina Avery-Grossman, Louis Drogin and Andrew Topkins, have more than 60 years of combined licensing and marketing experience. Brandgenuity agency services include strategic licensing planning, prospecting, negotiation, licensee management and program administration. Brandgenuity represents the following prestigious clients: LeapFrog®, Food Network, Snapple®, Yoo-hoo®, Mott’s®, World Poker Tour®, French’s Mustard®, Frank’s RedHot®, Oneida, RCA, Tamar Geller, Molly Sims and Verizon, among others.

FRANK’S® and REDHOT® and The Perfect Blend Of Flavor & Heat® are registered trademarks owned by Reckitt Benckiser Inc.

Jim Beam® is a registered trademark owned by Jim Beam Brands Co.


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Note to editors: For product samples, a high-resolution product photo or to speak with Thanasi Foods President and CEO Justin Havlick, contact Marilyn R. Kroner of Kroner Communications at marilyn@kronercommunications.com.

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