C-stores salute military personnel on Veterans Day with free store branded offerings

With their store brands playing a major role, convenience store retailers saluted active military members and veterans with specials in honor of Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Here’s what some C-store operators offered those who served and continue to serve:

CUMBERLAND FARMS
Military personnel received a free cup of the retailer’s private branded Farmhouse Blend of bold, hot or iced coffee in any size at any of Cumberland Farms’ nearly 600 locations across the Northeast and Florida. Personnel could also make it their own by adding customizable flavor shots, creamers and sweeteners at no additional cost. Cumberland Farms is based in Westborough, Mass.

DASH IN
Dash In Convenience Stores and Splash In ECO Car Washes honored troops with a free own brand sandwich and car wash at more than 50 locations across Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. Military personnel could also pick up two free sliders from Dash In's store branded Craveable Menu.

"We are truly proud of the brave men and women across our local communities who have sacrificed and risen to the challenge to protect our freedoms," said Darleen Nascimento, executive director of brand marketing at La Plata, Md.-based Dash In. "At Dash In, we are fortunate to employ and serve many veterans."

HIGH'S
Baltimore-based High's offered military personnel and their families a free 20-ounce private branded coffee at all of its 67 locations in Maryland.

NITTANY MINITMART
State College, Pa.-based Nittany MinitMart offered military personnel a free meal. They received the C-store’s 6-inch ham or turkey hoagie with all the fixings, as well as a 20-ounce coffee or fountain drink at no charge.

"We're very thankful for our veterans, it's the least we can do," said John Martin, president of Nittany MinitMart, a local family-owned and operated chain with 27 locations in north central Pennsylvania.

PILOT FLYING J
Founded by a Korean War veteran, supporting those who have served is in Pilot Flying J's DNA. Pilot Flying J treated military personnel to a free breakfast from Nov. 8-11. The deal included a free Pilot coffee of any size with a choice of one free PJ Fresh breakfast sandwich, breakfast pizza or breakfast grill item. The travel center operator also launched a new limited-edition stars-and-stripes design on its coffee cups. Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations across 44 states.

SHEETZ INC.
Altoona, Pa-based Sheetz showed its gratitude for military personnel by offering a free meal and a free car wash. The retailer offered a free own brand 6-inch turkey sub and a regular size fountain drink at any of its 596 convenience stores throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, West Virginia and North Carolina. Sheetz locations offering car washes also provided a free car wash.