National 7-Eleven Day – Jul. 11, 2026

National 7-Eleven Day
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AmericanBeverageFun
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Every July 11
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National 7-Eleven Day arrives every July 11, marking the founding of the beloved convenience store chain with a splash of frozen fun. Dive into the history of this iconic brand, explore its famous Slurpee, and find out how to snag your free icy treat.

Want to sponsor National 7-Eleven Day? Learn how

Expected National 7-Eleven Day Deals

National 7-Eleven Day is synonymous with free Slurpees, and 2027 will likely continue this tradition. Historically, 7-Eleven has offered a free small Slurpee to customers on July 11. Beyond the flagship offer, expect other deals on snacks, drinks, and food items through the 7Rewards loyalty program or the 7NOW delivery app. Keep an eye out for promotions from partner brands like Coca-Cola, Fanta, and Dr Pepper, which often sponsor Slurpee flavors. Local 7-Eleven franchises may also run their own in-store specials. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as July 11 approaches.

Platform Guide for National 7-Eleven Day

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #National7ElevenDay. Film your Slurpee experience or create a fun challenge.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #National7ElevenDay. Share vibrant photos of your favorite Slurpee flavors or 7-Eleven snacks.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #National7ElevenDay. Tweet about your free Slurpee haul or favorite 7-Eleven memory.

Social Media Tips for National 7-Eleven Day

Individuals

Head to your nearest 7-Eleven to grab a free Slurpee and share your favorite flavor on social media.

Creators

Create a video review of new Slurpee flavors, a DIY Slurpee recipe, or a 'day in the life' featuring 7-Eleven stops.

Brands

Partner with 7-Eleven for co-promotions, offer exclusive discounts to 7Rewards members, or host a Slurpee-themed giveaway.

Top Brands for National 7-Eleven Day

  1. 7-Eleven

    Founded in 1927 in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven is the world's largest convenience store chain, known for its 24/7 service and iconic Slurpee drink.

  2. Coca-Cola

    The global beverage giant, founded in 1886, is a key partner for 7-Eleven, supplying many of the popular Slurpee flavors and other soft drinks.

  3. Fanta

    A brand of fruit-flavored carbonated soft drinks created by Coca-Cola. Fanta flavors are frequently featured in Slurpee machines, offering a sweet, fizzy treat.

  4. Dr Pepper

    An iconic American soft drink, first served in 1885. Dr Pepper is often available as a Slurpee flavor, adding a unique, spicy-sweet option to the lineup.

  5. PepsiCo

    A multinational food, snack, and beverage corporation, founded in 1965. While Coca-Cola is dominant, PepsiCo products are also widely available in 7-Eleven stores.

  6. Hostess Brands

    An American bakery company, known for iconic snack cakes like Twinkies and Ding Dongs. These treats are popular pairings with Slurpees at 7-Eleven.

  7. Mars, Incorporated

    A global manufacturer of confectionery, pet food, and other food products. Mars candies and chocolate bars are staples in 7-Eleven's snack aisles.

National 7-Eleven Day Hero

Joe C. Thompson Jr.

Joe C. Thompson Jr. was the visionary entrepreneur who transformed the Southland Ice Company into the convenience store giant 7-Eleven. In 1946, he renamed the stores from 'Tote'm Stores' to '7-Eleven' to reflect their extended operating hours, 7 AM to 11 PM, a revolutionary concept at the time. His leadership laid the groundwork for the global expansion and innovative product offerings, including the introduction of the Slurpee in 1966, which cemented 7-Eleven's place in popular culture.

History of National 7-Eleven Day

7-Eleven and its subsidiaries, A-Plus and Speedway, sell carbonated slushies under the brand name SlurpeeĀ®. Slurpees are thought to have been invented by chance in the late 1950s when a businessman named Omar Knedlik broke his soda fountain and stored his sodas in a freezer. Knedlik served the cool soda to his customers as soon as the sodas got frosty. It became a huge hit right away. This prompted him to develop the machine for carbonated beverages. That’s how the SlurpeeĀ® machine, as well as the drink, came into existence.

In 1965, 7-Eleven signed a licensing agreement with the Icee Company to sell its product under specified terms after a successful trial of SlurpeeĀ® machines at around 100 locations. At the entrance of a freezer, the SlurpeeĀ® machine has a separate nuzzle for each flavor. When Slurpees originally came out, the dispensing machine was behind the counter, and the product was dispensed by the clerk. SlurpeeĀ® flavors include Frozen Cherry, Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, and more. In 1966, 7-Eleven entered into a licensing agreement with the Icee Company to sell slushies at 7-Eleven locations.

Flavors such as Pink Fink, Adults Only, Moonshine, Sticky Icky, and Redeye were given novelty names in the early days. After Southland went bankrupt in 1990, 7-Eleven Japan, its parent company, purchased 70% of the company for $430 million and immediately began to implement improvements at the U.S. locations in 1991.

National 7-Eleven Day timeline

1927
The Southland Ice Company

The convenience store where Slurpees are created is founded under the name Southland Ice Company.

1947
7-Eleven is Born

The Southland company changes its name to 7-Eleven.

Late 1950s
The Origin of Slurpees

The SlurpeeĀ® is invented by chance by Omar Knedlik.

1966
A Licensing Agreement

7-Eleven enters into a licensing agreement with the Icee Company to serve slushies at 7-Eleven locations.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National 7-Eleven Day

Local businesses can tap into the festive spirit of National 7-Eleven Day by offering their own ‘convenience’ themed promotions or quick, grab-and-go deals. Restaurants could feature a special frozen drink or a quick lunch combo. Retailers might offer a ‘7-Eleven style’ flash sale for 7 hours and 11 minutes. Consider partnering with a local 7-Eleven for cross-promotions, perhaps offering a discount to customers who show a Slurpee cup.

National 7-Eleven Day FAQs

When is National 7-Eleven Day?

National 7-Eleven Day 2026 is celebrated on Saturday, July 11, promising a weekend filled with free Slurpees and convenience store fun.

How many 7-Eleven stores are there worldwide?

As of 2026, 7-Eleven operates over 84,000 stores in 19 countries, making it the largest convenience store chain globally.

How many Slurpees are sold each year?

Annually, approximately 14 million Slurpees are sold at 7-Eleven stores across the United States, a testament to their enduring popularity.

What is the history behind the Slurpee?

The Slurpee was invented in 1966 by Omar Knedlik, who created a machine that could turn soda into a semi-frozen drink. 7-Eleven licensed the machine and branded the drink as the ‘Slurpee’ due to the sound it made when consumed.

National 7-Eleven Day Activities

  1. Get yourself a SlurpeeĀ®

    It's not National 7-Eleven Day without a SlurpeeĀ®. Get a free SlurpeeĀ® by going to your neighborhood’s 7-Eleven. It costs you nothing to be indulgent this holiday season.

  2. Experiment with different flavors

    There's a limitless variety of SlurpeeĀ® flavors to choose from. Everyone can find a SlurpeeĀ® flavor they like. Replace your typical flavor with something unusual on this day to excite your taste buds.

  3. Make a SlurpeeĀ® at home

    Try to rediscover Slurpees. They were created by chance, after all. Make a homemade one and see what you can come up with. Treat yourself by going crazy with the flavors.

5 Interesting Facts About Slurpees

  1. The SlurpeeĀ® spoon straw

    7-Eleven created a spoon straw specifically for Slurpees to ensure that every last drop was consumed.

  2. Two original flavors

    When the SlurpeeĀ® first hit 7-Eleven stores, it came in two flavors: Coca-Cola and Cherry.

  3. The BRAINFREEZE trademark

    7-Eleven has trademarked the term ā€˜BRAINFREEZ.’

  4. Kosher certified

    Many SlurpeeĀ® flavors are kosher certified.

  5. 45th Anniversary special flavor release

    In 2011, 7-Eleven released an extremely unique double-flavored SlurpeeĀ® to commemorate the product's 45th anniversary.

Why We Love National 7-Eleven Day

  1. There are around 300 different kinds

    With all these Slurpees, you never get tired of it. This classic frosty treat comes in a variety of flavors, including Sour Watermelon, Black Cherry Pepsi, and Cherry, to mention a few.

  2. They're affordable

    You don't have to spend a lot of money on a SlurpeeĀ®. They range in price from 80 cents to $3, depending on the cup size, and they’re free on the National 7-Eleven Day.

  3. They're a traditional summertime treat

    Slurpees are the perfect summertime beverage. It is one of the most popular frozen drinks in the United States. Enjoy your tasty flavored Slurpees, but watch out for BRAINFREEZE.

National 7-Eleven Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 July 11 Saturday
2027 July 11 Sunday
2028 July 11 Tuesday
2029 July 11 Wednesday
2030 July 11 Thursday