Free Slurpee Day On 7/11 At 7-Eleven: Store Marks 91st Birthday

An estimated 9 million people are expected to head to their local 7-Eleven store today for a free Slurpee — here's your reminder to be among them. From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time Wednesday, July 11, 2018, the company that introduced convenience retailing 91 years ago and is now the largest convenience chain in the world is celebrating its birthday by handing out free Slurpees.

"Free Slurpee day may be the most anticipated day of the year for millions of 7‑Eleven customers and new customers alike," said Raj Kapoor, 7‑Eleven senior vice president for fresh food and proprietary beverages. "7‑Eleven Day is a celebration, not only of our birthday, but more importantly, of our customers."

Slurpees will be given out today at participating U.S. locations while supplies last, with the featured flavor being Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries®. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news from your California neighborhood. Also, download the free Patch iPhone app or free Patch Android app. Also, be sure to follow your local Patch on Facebook!)

7‑Eleven began its run in 1927 when an employee of Southland Ice Company began selling bread, milk and eggs on an ice dock in a Dallas suburb. By selling "convenience," that small ice company grew into a major international retailing chain. As for its iconic Slurpee, 7‑Eleven introduced the frozen carbonated beverage in 1966. The next year, the company’s advertising director coined the word "Slurpee" to describe the sound the drink made traveling through the straw. In 2002, the company's free Slurpee drink birthday tradition was launched.

Photo by Maggie Avants/Patch