How 7 C-Stores Are Celebrating National Coffee Day
By Aimee Harvey on Sep. 28, 2017CHICAGO -- National Coffee Day is Sept. 29, and International Coffee Day falls on Oct. 1. That gives convenience stores and coffeehouses an entire weekend to map out pricing promos and specials on limited-time seasonal varieties to get customers in the door.
Click through to see how seven industry leaders are using these "holidays" to create a lure around coffee ...
1. 7-Eleven
7-Eleven convenience stores are celebrating by giving any size cup of coffee free to its 7Rewards members through Oct. 1. To receive the freebie, customers must present a bar code located in the 7Rewards smartphone app and scan it at the register. All hot-beverage cup sizes, as well as all 7-Eleven Chiller iced coffee sizes, are eligible during the promotion.
"At 7-Eleven, we celebrate coffee every day. We look forward to giving hot-beverage lovers the chance to enjoy a free cup of coffee this coffee holiday weekend," said Laura Gordon, 7-Eleven's vice president of marketing and brand innovation.
Based in Irving, Texas, 7‑Eleven Inc. is the largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry. It ranked No. 1 in CSP's 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.
2. Cumberland Farms
By texting the word FREECOFFEE to 64827, Cumberland Farms customers can receive a mobile coupon good for a free cup of hot or iced Farmhouse Blend or Bold coffee in any size. Also, Cumberland Farms is bringing back its Free Coffee Fridays promotion beginning Oct. 13.
Westborough, Mass.-based Cumberland Farms operates a network of nearly 600 convenience stores across eight states. It ranked No. 14 in CSP's 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.
3. Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores
Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores is offering 24-ounce coffees and cappuccinos for $1. The promotion is tied to the company's charitable efforts; Love's will donate all sales of the coffee to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals on National Coffee Day.
Oklahoma City-based Love’s has more than 430 locations in 41 states. It ranked No. 22 in CSP's 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.
4. Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J is giving away free cups of coffee, tea and other hot beverages on Sept. 29. Guests can receive the freebie by downloading an online coupon available on Pilot's social media pages and company website.
"With an exclusive line of delicious coffee blends and a wide variety of creamers and syrups to choose from, guests can celebrate National Coffee Day with their very own custom cup, brewed just the way they like it," said Shannon Johnson, Pilot's vice president of food innovation.
Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations in 43 states. It ranked No. 12 in CSP's 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.
5. Sheetz
Altoona, Pa.-based Sheetz is promoting seasonal coffee by offering a free Pumpkin Pie Latte on Sept. 29; to receive the deal, customers must place their order via Sheetz's mobile app.
Sheetz Inc. owns and operates more than 500 convenience stores in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and West Virginia. It ranked No. 17 in CSP's 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.
6. Stewart's Shops
Stewart's Shops is offering customers a free cup of hot, iced or cold-brew coffee in any size or flavor on Sept. 29. The deal is available between noon and close of business at all Stewart's locations.
The Ballston Spa, N.Y.-based retailer has close to 350 c-stores. It ranked No. 27 in CSP's 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.
7. Wawa
Wawa convenience stores are offering free coffee all day on Sept. 29 in any size and any variety. The company estimates that it will give away approximately 2 million cups of coffee on National Coffee Day.
Based in Wawa, Pa., Wawa has more than 750 c-stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.