C-stores Celebrate Veterans Day With Special Offers
NATIONAL REPORT – Several convenience store chains are celebrating Veterans Day today by extending special offers to military members, veterans and their supporters.
Corner Store locations across the United States are giving away a free Cibolo Mountain coffee or a Flavors2Go fountain drink of any size to all active and retired military members with a military ID. Cibolo Mountain and Flavors2Go are signature brands sold exclusively at Corner Store.
Additionally, Corner Store's Canada locations are offering a free 350-milliliter coffee to all customers wearing a red poppy pin. Red poppies are Canada's symbol of Remembrance Day and are sold by the Royal Canadian Legion to raise money for veterans.
"Our military service members make great sacrifices for our nation and this gives our team members the opportunity to personally thank those men and women," said Kim Bowers, CEO of CST Brands Inc., parent company of Corner Store. "Our team members have strong relationships with our customers and are excited to honor those who have served our country and community."
CST Brands operated 1,041 Corner Store convenience stores and gas stations in the U.S. and 840 Dépanneur du Coin locations in Canada as of Sept. 30.
Meanwhile, Pilot Flying J is honoring professional drivers who are also veterans by offering free showers today to those who show valid proof of service.
"Veterans Day is a special day dedicated to thanking those who have so fearlessly and loyally served our country," said Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam. "We hope all veterans know how deeply we appreciate the sacrifices they have made. A free shower offer is one of the many ways we are saying thank you to veterans."
Proof of service includes a valid U.S. Uniform Services Retired identification card, DD214, Veterans Organization card, photograph in uniform, citation or commendation. The offer is only applicable to professional driver veterans and cannot be assigned or transferred to another customer.
Pilot Flying J has been a winner of the Above and Beyond Award, presented by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve for outstanding service and continued support to national defense. The travel center chain also offers employment that will not be denied because of service in the Guard or Reserve. Job opportunities are not limited or reduced because of such service and employees are granted leaves of absence for military service in the Guard and Reserve, consistent with existing laws, the company said.
"We are committed to hiring veterans because their knowledge, dedication and discipline make them dependable and reliable drivers," Haslam said. "We also offer Military Bridge Pay, which ensures that any team member who is on Military Leave of Absence is eligible to receive their difference in pay if their military pay is less than their regular Pilot Flying J pay."
Family-owned Pilot Flying J has 650 locations across the U.S. and Canada.
Fellow travel center chain TravelCenters of America LLC is also celebrating Veterans Day by offering a complimentary meal to any truck driver who is a veteran, as CSNews Online previously reported. Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters operates 247 TA and Petro Stopping Center locations in 42 states and Canada.