Slurpee Birthday Bash

DALLAS, July 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- They have become summer traditions -- fireworks on the Fourth, Major League ... and Little League ... baseball games, hot dog-eating contests and free Slurpee® drinks at 7-Eleven® stores on July 11, or 7-Eleven Day.  

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7-Eleven, Inc., the company that invented convenience retailing 84 years ago in Dallas, Texas, invites customers to celebrate its birthday this coming Monday with a free 7.11-ounce frozen Slurpee drink.  Participating 7-Eleven stores across the U.S. and Canada will serve up 5 million free 7.11-ounce Slurpee frozen carbonated beverages this day while supplies last.  

"Slurpee-brations" and 7-Eleven birthday parties will be held at select stores with music, entertainment, prizes and food sampling, and Slurpee-mobiles will provide free samples at select 7-Eleven stores across the country.  

"7-Eleven Day and giving away free Slurpee beverages is our way of thanking customers for their patronage throughout the year and showing appreciation for their support," said Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, 7-Eleven's senior vice president of merchandising, marketing and logistics.  

"Five million is the most Slurpee drinks we've ever given away in a day; just two years ago, we handed out 3 million," he added.  "7-Eleven Day is synonymous with free Slurpee day, because of how popular the Slurpee giveaway has become.  We've been serving free Slurpees on July 11 since our 75th birthday in 2002, and it continues to be a hit with customers.  People start asking about it in the Spring.  Even without the 5 million free Slurpee drinks, July is the biggest month of the year for Slurpee sales. What better drink for the hottest month of the year."  

July 11 marks the day that the world's No. 1 convenience retailer observes its birthday and other company milestones.  7-Eleven, the world's first convenience store, began its run in 1927 when a Southland Ice Company employee started selling bread, milk and eggs on an ice dock in a Dallas suburb. Since that inauspicious start, "convenience" has become big business. The small ice company has grown into a major international retailing chain with 8,600 7-Eleven stores in North America and approximately 41,500 stores worldwide.

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 8,600 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are approximately 41,400 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2010, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales close to $63 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Forbes magazine's 2011 list of Top Franchises for the Money; #4 spot on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2009, #3 in Forbes magazine's Top 20 Franchises to Start, and #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies. Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven in its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics.  7-Eleven received the 2010 Retailer of the Year honor from PL Buyer because of the company's private-label brand initiative. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.

SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.