7-Eleven Cancels Its Annual Slurpee Giveaway Due to COVID-19

Since 2002, 7-Eleven has celebrated its birthday on July 11 (7/11) by handing out free Slurpees to customers. Fans who look forward to the annual giveaway will have to find something else to do on 7-11 Day this year. For the first time in nearly two decades, the convenience store is skipping the summer tradition and finding new ways to mark the occasion.

7-Eleven canceled 7/11 Day as a precaution during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “At 7-Eleven, our top priority is the safety of customers, franchisees, and employees. Gathering nine million of our closest friends in stores on one day just didn’t feel right," 7-Eleven senior vice president and chief marketing officer Marissa Jarratt said in a statement.

If you've been craving a free Slurpee all year, you don't have to wait until July 11, 2021, to get it. 7-Eleven is offering all members of its 7Rewards app a coupon for a free medium Slurpee that's redeemable the entire month of July. That way, customers can avoid crowds and pick up the free treat when it's safe and convenient for them.

In addition to giving out Slurpees throughout July, 7-Eleven is celebrating its birthday with a charitable donation. In honor of 7-11 Day, the company is donating $100,000 to Feeding America, which provides roughly 1 million meals to people in need.

The Slurpee may be 7-Eleven's signature drink, but the frozen slushy was actually invented at a Dairy Queen. Here are some more facts about 7-Eleven.