Apparatus for separating a fragile, packaged premium from a bandolier of packaged premiums includes a number of gripping pairs disposed along an axis of travel. The gripping pairs are designed to grip the premium packaging at pre-defined grip zones along the peripheral edges of the wrapper without clamping onto the premium-containing portion of the package. Preferably, the gripping pairs are sets of endless tracks that are beveled away from the contact surface of each tread such that the beveled surfaces are superimposed on a marginal portion of the premium-containing zone so as to assist in centering the bandolier on the axis of travel.