• MSNBC/Reuters, Wednesday, December 12, 2007 11:32 AM

Partnering with Dawn Foods, Weight Watchers has cut a deal to sell individually wrapped muffins and snack cakes in 7-Eleven stores across the U.S.--the first distribution deal for the diet company at a national convenience store. Stacy Gordon, Weight Watchers vice president of licensing and products, says she hopes a broader array of products will follow. 7-Eleven operates some 7,000 stores in the U.S. and is known more for hot dogs and coffee than for healthy food.

Bob Goldin, executive vice president of research and consulting firm Technomic, says the deal may bring Weight Watchers a large distributor, but is not necessarily a guarantee of success. 7-Eleven has been adding specialty coffees as it tries to expand its appeal.

In addition, Weight Watchers will partner with Schreiber Foods to roll out portion-control lines of cheese and soft-baked cookies in grocery stores. National grocery chains already sell Weight Watchers-branded food such as candies, baked goods, yogurt, frozen entrees and ice cream novelties.

Read the whole story at MSNBC/Reuters »