7-Eleven announced today that it would be canceling its annual 7-Eleven Day—where customers get a free Slurpee—for the first time in almost 20 years due to "uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic."
7-Eleven Day comes each year on July 11 to celebrate the convenience store’s birthday (get it? 7/11!) by giving all customers a free Slurpee. It typically attracts millions of fans to stores, which could understandably make things tricky with social distancing measures in place. That said, like many of us, the chain is marking its birthday in a few different ways this year. For one, 7-Eleven will be donating 1 million meals to Feeding America.
"At 7-Eleven, our top priority is the safety of customers, Franchisees and employees," said 7-Eleven Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Marissa Jarratt: "Gathering 9 million of our closest friends in stores on one day just didn't feel right, but I am heartened that we now have the opportunity to help the communities and neighborhoods that have been the lifeline of our business since 1927."
Additionally, there is STILL a way for you to get a free Slurpee, and you don't have to worry about whether or not you're busy on July 11. On July 1, all 7Rewards loyalty app members will receive a coupon for one free medium Slurpee in their account. It will be valid all month long so you can slurp while keeping a social distance from everyone else.