7-Eleven launches $1 Slurpee Happy Hour for summer

As the countdown to Slurpee Day begins, 7-Eleven is launching a summer-long push to keep customers cool with discounted frozen drinks, loyalty rewards and even a chance to win a visit from the brand’s iconic Slurpee truck.

The convenience store chain announced in a Monday, May 11, news release its new “Slurpee Drink Happy Hour,” offering large Slurpee drinks for $1 every weekday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for members of its 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards loyalty programs. The promotion runs through Aug. 25 at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes locations ahead of Slurpee Day on July 11.

Customers can join the free 7Rewards program through the 7-Eleven app to access the deals and earn points on qualifying purchases.

Here's what to know about the promotion.

$1 Slurpees and other summer deals

The limited-time promotion is part of the company’s buildup to Slurpee Day, the annual celebration tied to the frozen drink that has become one of the chain’s most recognizable products.

In addition to the $1 Slurpee offer, the company is introducing an exclusive Arizona Iced Tea Blue Raspberry Slurpee flavor this summer. Customers can also purchase Arizona tea and juice drinks for 99 cents, while loyalty members can buy Big Gulp drinks for 59 cents through June 23.

“Slurpee Day is a can’t-miss tradition for our customers, and the countdown is just as exciting as the big day,” Brandon Brown, senior vice president of fresh food and beverages at 7-Eleven, said in a statement.

Slurpee truck sweepstakes hits the road

The company is also rolling out a nationwide sweepstakes centered around its Slurpee truck experience. Beginning June 24, rewards members can enter for a chance to win a visit from the Slurpee truck by purchasing participating products or playing the “Slurp, Snack, Win” game through the 7-Eleven or Speedway apps.

The sweepstakes runs through Aug. 25 and is open to U.S. residents in the contiguous 48 states and Washington, DC, who are at least 16 years old.

How the Slurpee became an American staple

The Slurpee traces its roots back to the 1960s, when businessman Omar Knedlik developed a machine that partially froze soft drinks after noticing customers enjoyed semi-frozen sodas at his Dairy Queen franchise in Kansas.

According to previous USA TODAY reporting, 7-Eleven licensed the frozen beverage concept in 1965 from what became the Icee company and renamed its version the “Slurpee,” helping turn the brightly colored drink into a summertime staple across the U.S.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @athompsonUSAT