Warm Weather Brings Hot Fountain Promotions
NATIONAL REPORT -- As the weather heats up so do convenience store promotions, especially around cold fountain drinks.
In what has become a summer staple, The Pantry Inc.'s Kangaroo Express stores are now offering the popular ROO Cup, a collectible cup refillable with any fountain or frozen beverage. This marks the fourth consecutive summer that the Cary, N.C.-based retailer has offered the promotion.
The 2014 ROO Cup retails for $6.99 plus tax, and can be refilled for 25 cents through Sept. 30 -- almost a full month longer than last year -- at all 1,500-plus Kangaroo Express locations throughout the Southeast.
ROO Cup customization options, such as colored straws, will return alongside new deals. For example, during "Straw Days," fans with a specific color straw can redeem a free ROO Cup refill. Kangaroo Express will also offer a free ROO Cup refill with the purchase of a grill item at grill-ready stores and snacks in a ROO Cup display for 75 cents.
"The ROO Cup craze is back and already filling our stores with dedicated fans anxious to kick off the ROO Cup season and enjoy 25-cent drink refills with friends and family for another summer of fun," said Gordon Schmidt, interim senior vice president of operations at Kangaroo Express. "With special deals on everything from refills to on-the-go meals and snacks, ROO Cup fans will have many choices as they fill up with thirst-quenching ROO Cup refills."
The retailer is asking ROO Cup fans to share their summer ROO Cup experiences through social media using the hashtag #ROOCup. Additionally, fans can participate in ROO Cup social media contests, which will be held each month to give fans the opportunity to win prizes and be featured on ROOCup.com.
Meanwhile, RaceTrac Petroleum Inc. will kick off Sodapalooza FreeFill 2014 in all of its Georgia, Florida and Texas stores. From May 4 through July 31, customers can purchase a limited-time-only Sodapalooza FreeFill mug for $7.99 and enjoy "unlimited CUPacity" with free fountain and frozen beverage refills this summer, according to the retailer.
"Sodapalooza FreeFill is an exciting time at RaceTrac, and we invite Trac Fanatics to enjoy a summer full of soda again this year," said RaceTrac CEO Allison Moran. "To show our appreciation for our guests and team members across the South, we are excited to offer them not only affordable ways to cool off and fill up with their favorite Sodapalooza FreeFill beverage, but also coupons to keep them coming back this summer."
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go LC is encouraging its customers to go big -- or big, or bigger -- with any-size fountain drink for $1. The deal is available at the retailer's 420-plus convenience stores in Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.