ALEXANDRIA, Va.—From free drinks to free gas to all-expense-paid trips, convenience retailers and suppliers are rolling out the promotions to help their guests celebrate summer.

First up, 7-Eleven is planning to mark its 94th birthday in July with a month-long celebration that includes free Slurpees, discount food offers, delivery deals and a big donation to Feeding America. Just like last year, the Irving, Texas, convenience retailer is spreading out its birthday celebration to avoid having millions of Americans crowded around Slurpee machines on a single day, which is prior years has been celebrate on July 11.

On July 1, 7-Eleven will drop one free small Slurpee drink coupon into the accounts of all 7Rewards® loyalty app members. The personalized offer is redeemable the entire month of July, so customers can get their birthday present from 7-Eleven when it’s convenient for them.

“7-Eleven's birthday falls in the middle of Brainfreeze SZN,” said 7-Eleven Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Marissa Jarratt. “Or as some people call it, summer. Regardless, it’s a perfect time for a freezing cold drink and we like to celebrate it with Slurpee drinks, our favorite 7-Eleven memories, experiences and a month-long party.”

A birthday encore from last year’s celebration is a special birthday gift of providing 1 million meals from 7-Eleven to Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the country, building on 7-Eleven’s 21-year history of support. Even as life begins to get back to a pre-COVID normal, many families are still feeling its effects with lost jobs and incomes contributing to the current hunger crisis in America.

“While we’re celebrating our birthday month, we are also mindful that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on many families,” said Jarratt. “We know how important it is to come together and help the communities we serve in times of trouble. Our commitment to provide one million meals this year and in 2020, along with our Round Up for Rewards program this winter, bookends an impactful year.”

Party in Texas

Texas Born (TXB), based in Spicewood, Texas, hosts its 100 Days of Summer campaign annually to introduce more guests to its fresh-made foods, snacks and beverages that typically aren’t found in c-stores. TXB’s 100 Days of Summer scratch-and-win game launched June 1 and runs through September 8. Guests have daily opportunities to win a daily prize through the TXB mobile app, redeemed in-store or via mail.

“We love treating our guests through our 100 Days of Summer giveaway as it's something they look forward to all year long,” said Anna Felz, marketing and brand manager, TXB. “Nothing beats winning daily prizes, no matter if it’s a fun trip to Six Flags or a juicy brisket sandwich to enjoy for lunch. We want TXB visitors to get the most out of every day of summer by experiencing our fresh-made meals, snacks and beverages.”

This year’s prizes include a variety of big-ticket items, as well as candy bars, chips, drinks, snacks and fresh-made food, including: 

• Gas for a year
• Apple AirPods
• Six Flags tickets
• Chicken roll sandwiches
• Chicken fajita tacos and quesadillas
• Brisket sandwiches

To redeem their prizes, winners simply show the cashier at the register the barcode produced on their phone by the scratch-and-win game for any in-store prize or fill out a form to have their prize shipped to them. Coupons earned through the game are valid for 24 hours, and guests can win one prize per day. 

With more than 47 locations throughout Texas and Oklahoma, TXB serves more than 4,000 items, including fresh-made food, cold drinks and grab-and-go snacks. TXB is big city, open country and everything in between, with a line of private label products including jerky, trail mix, water, coffee and more. To learn more about TXB and to download the mobile app, visit www.txbstores.com/loyalty/.

The Big League

For sports fans, bubble gum brand Big League Chew, part of Ford Gum & Machine Co. of Buffalo Grove, Ill., has teamed up with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum for the Big League Bubble Battle contest.

The contest will run from June 14 through July 25, giving participants a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y, and $50,000 to support their hometown youth baseball or softball program. In addition to an all-expense paid trip, the grand prize winner will also receive: 

• A one-year Hall of Fame Benefactor membership
• VIP behind-the-scenes tour
• A guided museum tour
• $250 gift certificate to the Baseball Hall of Fame Store
• One year’s supply of Big League Chew bubble gum and merchandise

There are three ways to win: 

1. Instagram – Share a photo using #BigLeagueBubbleBattle and #Contest
2. Twitter – Tweet a photo using #BigLeagueBubbleBattle and #Contest
3. Upload – Post a photo directly to BigLeagueBubbleBattle.com

For official contest rules, restrictions and prize information, visit BigLeagueBubbleBattle.com