In response to the growth of iced coffee at foodservice establishments and at retail, Torrance, Calif.-based Farmer Bros. Co. introduced a new line of consumer-tested, ready-to-serve iced coffees that eliminates any prep work for operators. The iced coffees were developed to help exceed shoppers’ expectations, encourage repeat purchases, and maximize profits, the company says.

Offered in Mocha, French Vanilla and Caramel flavors, the iced coffees are made with 100 percent cold-brewed Arabica coffee, sugar and real dairy. They are available in a side-by-side 6-liter format for dispensing machines and a 4-liter bag-in-box format for refrigerators, the company says. The iced coffees were crafted to the same standards as Farmer Bros. hot beverages and do not require any additional equipment or training to serve, it adds.

"Our new ready-to-drink iced coffees are designed to deliver the higher-quality, great-tasting cold beverage option that consumers are demanding," said David Pohl, director of research and development at Farmer Bros., in a statement. "We use premium Arabica beans, real sugar and real dairy, and that's why we believe our iced coffees have performed so well in taste tests against other leading brands."

In foodservice establishments, iced coffee consumption is growing faster than hot coffee and espresso-based beverages, according to Chicago-based Technomic Inc. At retail, iced coffee sales are up almost triple digits in the past year as consumers seek alternatives to other cold beverages like soda, according to Nielsen, New York. Farmer Bros.' new ready-to-serve iced coffee line makes it easy for operators to take advantage of the profitability and additional traffic that iced coffee can deliver, offering the sweet and refreshing pick-me-up that consumers are looking for, the company says. This is particularly true for younger demographics and female consumers who are prone to drinking coffee, especially during the afternoon, according to Datassential, Los Angeles.

For more information, visit www.farmerbros.com.