Page 4 - Dining Out - July 11, 2021

Cover Story
Camille Wong, 7-Eleven Hawaii creative strategist and designer of the new SLURPEE and BIG GULP cups, makes a 40-ounce SLURPEE.
Story by Photos by
DON ROBBINS ANTHONY CONSILLIO
T oday is an extra special Sunday for 7-Eleven Hawaii’s valued patrons. Starting at 11 a.m. July 11, the first
500 customers will receive free small SLURPEE coupons and a reusable bag (while supplies last) with any purchase of at least $5 (excludes gas). Lucky winners need to visit the register to receive both the coupon and the gift with purchase. This coupon can be used on the same day, or customers can choose to redeem it at a later time in July.
The company, which has as its tagline “Your Neighborhood Store,” will also be adding more ways to celebrate with enter- to-win giveaways on Instagram and Face- book (@7elevenhi).
7-Eleven Day is celebrated on July 11 and is commonly referred to as the company’s “birthday.” This day is celebrated in different ways globally and it is a fun way for the busi-
ness to reward and connect with customers. In the past, the business used to give out a free small SLURPEE to patrons, but this year it wanted to modify the celebration to
minimize store overcrowding.
“SLURPEE is for everyone, so our goal is
to create the flavor assortment that people of all ages can mix, slurp and enjoy,” explains category manager Debbie Poynter.
She elaborates that SLURPEE has become synonymous with 7-Eleven and it remains one of the company’s core offerings.
“It is a fun, frozen and refreshing treat that can be mixed just the way you like it. We focus on incorporating new flavors that complement our classic offerings such as Coca-Cola and strawberry,” Poynter shares. “We work with companies such as Harders Hawaii on new and local flavors to put a Hawaii spin on something classic such as SLURPEE. For inspiration, we often look at
what’s trending, or even look to nostalgic flavors to see what we can breathe new life into.”
The newest flavor coming out later this month is the “vitaminwater gutsy” flavor, which has zero sugar. It can be mixed with one of the company’s classics such as watermelon or banana for a refreshing summer treat.
Marketing manager Annika Streng says that later this month, 7-Eleven Hawaii will be changing its fountain and SLURPEE cups to paper with PLA plastic lids and straws.
“As a corporation, we have a role to play in minimizing single-use plastics, and want to offer a more sustainable substitute. The new cups maintain the SLURPEE and BIG GULP legacy brands that we are known for, but the design adds a local flair. Our
7-Eleven Day celebration
A reusable tote bag and small SLURPEE coupon
goal is to cater to the people of Hawaii and put out a cup that they will connect with,” Streng adds.
Each of the cups feature icons highlight- ing different themes such as recreation, music and dance, food and drink, and Ha- waii’s natural environment.
4 / Dining Out / July 11-17, 2021