7-Eleven celebrates 'Slurpee Day' with free beverages and charity drive

The Slurpee originated in the late 1950s when Omar Knedlik, a Dairy Queen owner in Kansas, stored soda bottles in the freezer due to a malfunctioning soda fountain4. The partially frozen sodas became popular with customers, inspiring Knedlik to create a machine that could produce the frozen beverage on demand. In 1965, 7-Eleven licensed the ICEE machine and rebranded the drink as the "Slurpee."

The Slurpee was first sold in 1966 after 7-Eleven licensed the ICEE machine technology from Omar Knedlik, who invented the frozen drink in the late 1950s3. The Slurpee quickly became popular and has since become a staple in 7-Eleven stores worldwide.