WELL, IT'S TODAY!

On Monday 7-Eleven stores across the United States and Canada are giving away free Slurpee drinks.

The promotion is in observance of the nation's largest convenience store chain's unofficial birthday, 7/11. USA Today reported that the chain expects to give away 5 million 7.11-ounce Slurpees throughout the day.

Jesus Delgado-Jenkins, 7-Eleven's senior vice president of merchandising, marketing and logistics, stated in a press release that 7-Eleven has been serving free Slurpees on July 11 since its 75th birthday in 2002.

He said two years ago the company gave out 3 million, and USA Today said last year it reached about 4.5 million.

"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," Delgado-Jenkins said.

The press release stated that the world's first convenience store started out in 1927 when a Southland Ice Co. employee started selling bread, milk and eggs on an ice dock in a Dallas suburb. It has grown to 8,600 7-Eleven stores in North America and about 41,500 stores in 16 countries.

As it celebrates its 84th anniversary on Monday The New York Times reported that the company is expected to step up its social media presence. It has two Twitter accounts, @7eleven and @slurpee , as well as Facebook accounts at facebook.com/7Eleven and facebook.com/Slurpee .

There are also websites including slurpee.com , which had a countdown clock to 7-Eleven Day, and 7-eleven.com .

These are all expected to be part of the effort to reach 5 million Slurpees.

That doesn't mean only the customers will be profiting. 7-Eleven vice president of marketing Nancy Smith told USA Today that on July 11 last year, Slurpee sales jumped 38 percent. People ended up buying drinks larger than the 7.11-ounce ones they could have for free.

Many will also likely buy other stuff in the store as well while waiting on that 7.11-ounce drink with a $1 retail value. That's not to mention the gas they will use to get there.

"Free is magic," Swarthmore College psychology professor Barry Schwartz told USA Today. "If you offer something for free, people will gladly spend money to get it."

Ew.

NOW you tell me?

should have posted this a few days ago , i missed it.....

I love me some pepsi slurpee.....

sonic said:

NOW you tell me?

should have posted this a few days ago , i missed it.....

I love me some pepsi slurpee.....

Next year! Same day...