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QSRs mark National Coffee Day with freebies

September 25, 2012

Both the U.S. and Canada will celebrate National Coffee Day Sept. 29, and a handful of brands are using the opportunity to showcase their signature beverages with giveaway promotions.

Participating McDonald's restaurants along the East Coast region – from Miami to Maine – are offering free small Premium Roast McCafe coffee from now through Sept. 29.

"We're grateful to our customers for their long-term loyalty to the Golden Arches," said Rick Rehak, McDonald's regional marketing director. "We're thrilled to share our Premium Roast McCafe Coffee with no strings attached – just visit McDonald's and enjoy a free small McDonald's coffee on us."

Also on Sept. 29, Krispy Kreme will commemorate National Coffee Day with a free 12 oz. cup of coffee at participating U.S. and Canada locations. No purchase is necessary.

As an added perk, fans can enter to win one of 75 coffee prize packs, including free Krispy Kreme coffee for a year, a Krispy Kreme t-shirt and a coffee mug.

Tim Hortons locations in the U.S. are offering the brand's Facebook fans and those who newly "like" the Facebook page a free coffee with the purchase of another coffee coupon valid on Sept. 29.

"Tim Hortons sells more than two billion cups of coffee annually in North America, so we know how important that first cup of coffee is — it's more than a drink, it's a ritual," said Mike Meilleur, executive vice president, Tim Hortons U.S. "We couldn't think of a better way to celebrate National Coffee Day than to help our guests share their coffee ritual."

Tim Hortons Canada will celebrate the occasion by offering guests the chance to win a $5,000 trip.

Beginning Oct. 1, Tim Hortons is launching Tims Tour, an online photo sharing contest giving Canadian fans a chance to win free coffee for a year or the grand prize of a $5,000 trip. To enter, Canadians are asked to share a photo of themselves with their cup of Tim Hortons coffee in a setting that is unique to their hometown. Twenty-one regional winners will win free coffee for a year and there will also be a random draw for all eligible entries for the grand prize. For more details, visit everycup.ca/TimsTour.

"At Tim Hortons we serve coffee to millions of guests every day and we know how much they look forward to that first sip in the morning," said Dave McKay, director of brand marketing for beverages, Tim Hortons. "Whether it's a traditional double-double, a flavored latte or a café mocha, we are proud to serve Canada's favorite coffee exactly the way our guests like it, each and every time."

Dunkin' Donuts is offering its Facebook fans a coupon for a 99-cent small hot or iced latte, valid at participating restaurants through Sept. 30.

Finally, participating 7-Eleven locations in the U.S. and Canada are offering a free coffee on Sept. 28 from 6-10 a.m.

In Canada, all 7-Eleven stores will give away a large, 20-ounce cup of coffee to customers. The giveaway includes 7-Eleven's 100 percent Colombian Coffee and its seasonal Spiced Pumpkin Latte.

The promotion, now in its second year in Canada, has been named CofFREE Day.

"Since CofFREE Day was such a success last year, we decided to make it an annual event," said Tim Donegan, vice president for 7-Eleven Canada Inc.

According to recent findings by the National Coffee Association, daily coffee consumption increased by 7 percentage points in 2011.

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