Retailer Invites Customers to Pay it Forward with Pizza
PORTLAND, Ore., 2014-10-31— /EPR Retail News/ — Halloween can be a scary holiday for kids. But not having enough food is even scarier for too many kids in the greater Portland and Vancouver, Wash., areas. Local 7‑Eleven® stores are inviting residents to do something about it this Halloween weekend in its second “pay-it-forward” pizza campaign.
More than 90 stores are participating in the three-day campaign. Customers can purchase a large pizza (pepperoni or cheese) for $5.55, which will be delivered to the Oregon Food Bankand Birch Community Services in Portland and the LINKS food program in Vancouver.
While 7‑Eleven’s pizzas are typically baked and served hot to customers, the donated pizzas are kept frozen until recipient families choose to prepare them. The pizzas will be distributed to the needy through local nonprofit organizations.
Last December, Portland 7‑Eleven stores invited customers to give away pizzas to the needy. The idea took off. One store, the 7‑Eleven on NE Kane Drive in Gresham, sold 45 pizzas in a single day, and the customers donated more than 1,300 pizzas during the holiday campaign.
“Halloween is a holiday geared toward children who love to dress up and get treats in their neighborhoods,” said Larry Hughes, zone leader for 7‑Eleven stores in the Pacific Northwest. “Pizza is a lot of kids’ favorite food, and the pay-it-forward pizza program offers a quick and easy way for people to treat a needy family to a hot meal their children will love.”
A special display complete with pizza boxes and a colorful sign communicates the pay-it-forward campaign in the participating 7‑Eleven stores that offer hot foods like fresh-baked pizza, chicken tenders and wings.
About 7‑Eleven, Inc.
7‑Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7‑Eleven operates franchises or licenses more than 10,400 7‑Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are more than 54,200 7‑Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2013, 7‑Eleven stores generated total worldwide sales close to $84.5 billion. 7‑Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies for 2013; #3 spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 2012, and #3 in Forbes magazine’s Top 20 Franchises to Start. 7‑Eleven is No. 3 on Fast Company magazine’s 2013 list of the “World’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Retail” and among the Top Veteran-Friendly Companies for 2013 by U.S. Veterans Magazine and on GI Jobs magazine’s Top 100 Military Friendly Employers for 2014. Hispanic Magazine named 7‑Eleven among its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7‑Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S. and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7‑Eleven.com.
Contact:
Margaret Chabris
7‑Eleven, Inc.
972-828-7285
margaret.chabris@7-11.com
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