DALLAS & CANTON, Mass. -- 7-Eleven and Cumberland Farms are joining the ranks of convenience retailers offering free coffee to New Year's revelers this week.
7-Eleven will enter the third decade of its annual coffee give-away for late-night/early-morning customers.
The overnight offer includes all 7-Eleven stores' fresh-brewed coffees, as well as gourmet specialties, such as cappuccino and hot chocolate. Participating stores will display a poster in the front window announcing information about the free-coffee program. The free 12-ounce hot beverages will be available [image-nocss] between 12 midnight, Dec. 31, and 6 a.m., Jan. 1, 2009.
"A lot of people stay up later than they are used to on New Year's Eve, and a stop at a 7-Eleven store to get out of their car and grab a free hot cup of coffee may make their drive home safer," said Rick Wilshe, 7-Eleven manager for hot beverages. "This small gesture of a free cup of coffee also allows us to thank our customers for their patronage and to wish them a safe and happy New Year."
Participating 7-Eleven stores are in the following areas: Maryland; central and southeast Virginia; Washington, D.C.; Florida; Illinois; Ohio; Indiana; greater Detroit; St. Louis; Kansas City; Texas (greater DFW and Austin areas); Nevada; Arizona; Colorado; Utah; Washington; Oregon; Idaho; and northern California.
Meanwhile, Cumberland Farms, the Canton, Mass.-based chain of convenience stores, will also be giving away cups of free coffee at many of its stores on New Year's Eve, according to a report in the Boston Globe.
This will be the second year for its promotion. The giveaway is scheduled from 5 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 5 a.m. on New Year's Day.
"We want drivers to be safe and alert on the roads this holiday season," Ari Haseotes, Cumberland Farms' president, said in a statement. "This free coffee is a way for us to say thanks to our customers, especially during these trying economic times."
The free coffee is available at all Cumberland Farms stores across the Northeast and Florida except for those with Dunkin' Donuts service, the chain said.
Driving while drowsy can be as hazardous as driving while intoxicated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that, conservatively, 100,000 crashes, 40,000 injuries and 1,500 fatalities yearly are caused by drivers who are asleep. The NHTSA reports that young people ages 16 to 29, especially males, are most at risk.
Since ringing in the 1988 New Year 21 years ago, Dallas-based 7-Eleven stores across the United States have given away more than 1.3 million cups of coffee in its free-coffee program, The retailer sells 365 million cups of coffee a year. 7-Eleven brews almost 10,000 pots every hour of every day of the year.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.