On Friday, July 11, 2025, 7-Eleven is marking a remarkable milestone—its 98th birthday—celebrated nationwide as National Slurpee Day. Since the opening of its first store in Dallas, Texas, in 1927, the convenience store chain has become synonymous with the beloved frozen treat known as the Slurpee, which debuted in 1966. This year, the festivities promise to be cooler than ever, with free Slurpees and a host of other special offers across thousands of 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes locations throughout the United States.
For decades, 7-Eleven has honored its birthday by giving away free small Slurpees, and 2025 is no exception. Customers can stroll into participating stores on July 11 and enjoy a free small Slurpee without any purchase necessary, while supplies last. But the celebration doesn't stop there—loyalty program members of 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards have an extra reason to smile. By scanning their rewards app at checkout on Slurpee Day, they receive a coupon for a second free small Slurpee, redeemable anytime between July 12 and July 31, 2025.
Adding a playful twist to the festivities, select 7-Eleven and Speedway locations are offering "Tongue-toos," temporary, edible tongue tattoos activated by the Slurpee drink. These special tattoos, shaped like the iconic Slurpee "S," reveal vibrant colors—blue, green, red, or purple—when placed on the tongue after sipping the frozen beverage. This fun feature is available exclusively to 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members and can be found in major cities such as Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Diego, Tampa, Washington, D.C., and several others. Speedway locations offering Tongue-toos include cities like Albuquerque, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Beyond the free drinks and tattoos, 7-Eleven is rolling out additional perks to enhance the celebration. One highlight is the return of the Mountain Dew Infinite Swirl Slurpee, a pineapple-berry blend that has captured fans’ taste buds. For the first time, this flavor is available not only as a Slurpee but also in Big Gulp and 20-ounce bottled varieties, offering more ways for customers to enjoy the tropical treat.
For those who prefer to enjoy the convenience of delivery, 7-Eleven is offering a discount through its 7NOW Delivery app. Customers can save $7.11 on any purchase of $20 or more by using the promo code 711DAY, a clever nod to the date of the celebration. Additionally, fans can browse and purchase exclusive Birthday Collection merchandise online, including T-shirts and Slurpee costumes, through the 7Collection store, perfect for those who want to wear their love for the brand.
Adding to the excitement, 7-Eleven is running a daily sweepstakes through January 6, 2026, giving customers the chance to win $5,000 each day via the 7-Eleven and Speedway apps. This ongoing promotion extends the birthday cheer well beyond July, keeping customers engaged and rewarded for their loyalty.
7-Eleven's journey from a single ice house dock in Dallas to a global convenience powerhouse is a story of innovation and adaptation. Originally founded as the Southland Ice Company in 1927, the chain was known as Tote’m Stores until 1946, when it adopted the name 7-Eleven to reflect its extended hours—from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.—a novelty at the time. The Slurpee itself was licensed in 1965 from Omar Knedlik, who invented the frozen drink machine that inspired the Icee. 7-Eleven modified Knedlik's machine and branded the frozen beverage as the Slurpee, a name coined by advertising executive Bob Stanford to mimic the slurping sound the drink makes.
Today, 7-Eleven operates over 13,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada, with a presence in 19 countries worldwide. Florida, California, Texas, Virginia, and New York rank as the top states with the most 7-Eleven stores, with Florida alone hosting over 1,000 locations. The brand's parent company, Tokyo-based Seven & i Holdings, recently reported a first-quarter profit of JP¥65.1 billion ($445.19 million), largely driven by its U.S. operations. Over the past year, Seven & i Holdings' stock has surged by more than 24%, underscoring the company's strong market position.
In Arizona, while the special Slurpee-activated tongue tattoos are not available, residents can still partake in the free small Slurpee giveaway and the second free Slurpee coupon by scanning their rewards apps. Participating 7-Eleven and Speedway stores are scattered throughout central and eastern Arizona, making it convenient for locals to join the celebration.
As temperatures soar in many parts of the country, National Slurpee Day arrives at the perfect moment, offering a refreshing escape from the summer heat. Whether you're a fan of classic flavors like Cherry and Blue Raspberry or eager to try the limited-time Mountain Dew Infinite Swirl, there's a Slurpee for everyone to enjoy.
Marissa Jarratt, 7-Eleven's executive vice president and chief marketing & sustainability officer, encapsulated the spirit of the day: "This Slurpee Day, we're mixing things up with new flavors, our celebratory swag and even a twist designed to mark tastebuds in the coolest way possible. We love finding new ways to amp up the Slurpee drink experience and creating lasting moments for our customers, on Slurpee Day and all year round."
With free drinks, fun tattoos, exciting giveaways, and exclusive merchandise, 7-Eleven’s 98th birthday celebration offers something special for everyone. So, head to your nearest participating store this July 11, grab a Slurpee, and join millions of fans nationwide in toasting nearly a century of convenience and cool refreshment.
