7-Eleven, a convenience store chain headquartered in Texas, has announced an exciting treat for its customers on 7th July 2023 to commemorate its 96th anniversary. This special day, widely recognized as ‘Slurpee Day’ and ‘7-Eleven Day,’ will feature complimentary Slurpees for all visitors. Additionally, as part of their loyalty program, the chain is granting two additional free Slurpees to its VIP customers who have accumulated the maximum points on the store’s mobile app.
On this day annually, the company generously provides a complimentary 12-ounce (355ml) slurpee, allowing consumers to select their preferred flavor from 11am to 7pm. This partially frozen beverage, consisting of finely crushed ice crystals, is accessible in 34 different flavors throughout America. Among these options, there is an exclusive and limited-edition flavor called ‘What the Fanta,’ created specifically for Slurpee Day.
As part of this year’s Slurpee Day festivities, 7-Eleven has introduced four fresh flavors that can only be enjoyed today. These exclusive additions include Sprite Lymonade Legacy, Summertime Citrus, Fanta Dragon Fruit Zero Sugar, and Hibiscus Lemonade.
In addition to the complimentary slurpees, the chain is also providing irresistible $1 deals on beloved snacks such as hot dogs and pizza slices. It’s an opportunity for customers to enjoy their favorite treats at an incredibly affordable price.
However, this offer will be valid only in the chain’s stores located in the United States and Canada, where the American style of writing dates is followed, with the month first and then the date (e.g., 7th of July or July 11th).
In line with the same rationale, the convenience store chain, as per a source from 7-Eleven India, observes the celebration of Eastern countries, including India, on November 7th (7/11), in accordance with the British style of writing dates, where the date comes before the month.
According to the media source, 7-Eleven introduced this concept in 2002 during its 75th birthday celebration and has been observing it every year since, except for 2020 when it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The invention of Slurpees can be traced back to 1959 when a Kansas Dairy Queen franchise accidentally discovered them. The franchise had to store its soda in a freezer as a result of a malfunctioning soda machine. Customers took a liking to the semi-frozen soda and started asking for it. Initially known as ‘Icee,’ the beverage eventually earned the name “Slurpee” due to the sound it made while being sipped.
Currently, more than 300 flavors of Slurpees are available worldwide. In the United States, the most popular flavors are Coca-Cola and Wild Cherry.
Established in 1927 as an icehouse storefront in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven has evolved into a renowned global brand with more than 83,000 stores spanning across 19 countries. Throughout its history, the brand has been at the forefront of innovation, introducing several industry firsts. It was the pioneer in offering coffee in to-go cups, being open 24/7, and featuring self-serve soda fountains. Presently, the convenience store chain is fully owned by Japan-based Seven and I Holdings Co. Ltd., as stated on the official corporate website of the brand.
In India, the 7-Eleven chain, owned by a Japanese company and headquartered in the United States, is operated by Reliance Retail. Initially, the Texas-based brand 7-Eleven had entered into an agreement with Kishore Biyani’s Future Group to establish a presence in the country. However, in 2021, both groups mutually terminated the agreement. As of July 2023, there are 40 7-Eleven outlets in India, with 38 located in Mumbai and two in Pune.