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Slurpee -- the Coolest Drink on Earth Just Got Cooler!
Brainfreeze Straw - The Tool for Cool

DALLAS, July 21, 1997 -- Now Slurpee connoisseurs can lap up their tasty semi-frozen libations with the latest Slurpee gadget -- the Brainfreeze straw -- available this month only at 7-Eleven for 79 cents with any Slurpee purchase. The straw comes in three bright colors and changes color when an icy cold Slurpee or other frigid liquid is slurped through it.

Designed to resemble a brain inside an ice cube with two eyes peering out, there's a spoon at the end to scoop up the very last drop of Slurpee.

In the United States alone, five billion Slurpees have been slurped since the product's inception in 1966 -- enough to circle the Earth almost eight times.

"Not only is Slurpee a global presence, it's also timeless," said Alan Beach, Doctor of Slurpology and Slurpee category manager. "Slurpee is perennially 'cool' for all ages."

Beach says while the average age of a Slurpee customer is 29, a number of adults who grew up with Slurpee are now purchasing the semifrozen treat for their children, as well.

Other Slurpee trivia from Beach's file include: The ice-and-syrup mixture that eventually became the Slurpee started out as a small-town Kansas man's attempt to draw customers into his ice cream store. He invented a machine that dispensed syrup, carbon dioxide and water in a semi-frozen state. Two Dallas engineers perfected his machine, and by the end of 1966 the machines were in all 7-Eleven stores.

In 1967, the drink was introduced in a nationwide marketing blitz under the proprietary name Slurpee, so called for the slurping sound it made when coming through the straw. Since then, Slurpee has maintained its still-cool status with kids and adults.

With approximately 16,600 convenience stores worldwide, operations of The Southland Corporation, operator and franchiser of 7-Eleven stores, include more than 5,400 7-Eleven and other convenience stores in the United States and Canada. In addition, licensees and affiliates operate about 10,900 7-Eleven stores in the United States, its territories and 19 other countries.

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