Why is it called 7-Eleven?
Pick up a Big Gulp or your favorite flavored Slurpee as you step back into the past of what is now known as 7-Eleven.
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As the countdown to Slurpee Day begins, 7-Eleven is launching summertime initiatives to keep customers cool, including discounted frozen drinks, loyalty rewards, and even a chance to win a visit from the brand’s iconic Slurpee truck.
In a news release on Monday, May 11, the convenience store chain announced a new “Slurpee Drink Happy Hour” for members of its 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards loyalty programs, offering bulk Slurpee drinks for $1 on weekdays from 3pm to 6pm. The promotion will run through August 25th at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes stores in advance of Slurpee Day on July 11th.
Customers can join the free 7Rewards program through the 7-Eleven app to access sales and earn points on eligible purchases.
Here’s what you need to know about promotions.
$1 Slurpee and other summer deals
The limited-time promotion is part of the company’s build-up to Slurpee Day, an annual celebration tied to the frozen drinks that have become one of the chain’s most famous products.
In addition to the $1 Slurpee offering, the company is introducing a limited-edition Arizona Icy Tea Blue Raspberry Slurpee flavor this summer. Customers can also purchase Arizona tea and juice drinks for 99 cents, and loyalty members can purchase Big Gulp beverages for 59 cents through June 23.
“Slurpee Day is a beloved tradition for our customers, and the countdown is just as exciting as the big day,” Brandon Brown, 7-Eleven’s senior vice president of fresh food and beverages, said in a statement.
Slurpee truck sweepstakes hits the roads
The company is also running a national sweepstakes centering around the Slurpee truck experience. Starting June 24, Rewards members can enter for a chance to win a visit from a Slurpee truck by purchasing participating products through the 7-Eleven or Speedway apps or by playing the “Slurp, Snack, Win” game.
The sweepstakes runs through August 25th and is open to U.S. residents 16 years of age and older who reside in the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C.
How the Slurpee became an American staple
The Slurpee’s roots date back to the 1960s. At the time, businessman Omar Knedrik developed a machine to partially freeze soft drinks after noticing that customers at his Kansas Dairy Queen franchise were enjoying semi-frozen sodas.
According to a previous USA TODAY report, 7-Eleven licensed the frozen beverage concept from what would become Ice Inc. in 1965, renamed its version “Slurpee,” and helped turn the colorful drink into a summer staple across the United States.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on Twitter @athompsonUSAT.
