There are a lot of 7-Elevens in Stockholm. Lots. They even sell BigBites™ and other assorted sausage products. Granted they also sell a number of things you wouldn't find at your typical 7-Eleven, such as: cinnamon buns, croissants and Actimel yogurt. But, there is one HUGE difference between a Swedish 7-Eleven and (what I call) a real 7-Eleven: real 7-Elevens sell Slurpees.

Yes, it's very sad. In fact it's a travesty. I don't know what the Swedish branch of this company did to anger the owners, but revoking their Slurpee license is pretty harsh punishment. It really isn't fair to all of us who require a slush drink on a hot day.

Just look at the picture to the right. It brings a tear to the eye. In place of a Slurpee machine we have a generic "Slush" machine. (And no, they are not the same by any stretch of the imagination.) Seriously, "Slush". I'd rather have one of those Snoopy Sno-cone Machines and make my own - see inlay to left. (I freaking could, since they still sell those things. They're cheap too, only like $15 at Toys-r-us. Which they also have in Sweden, but I'd venture to say that they don't sell snow cone machines. But, that's another issue.)

I can live without the Big Gulps and the novelty lighters and other assorted crap, but I truly feel that a 7-Eleven is not a 7-Eleven without the trademark whirling Slurpee machine in the back. Arctic climate or no arctic climate, every country (with a 7-Eleven) has the right to enjoy a proper icy slush - and that does not mean a Slush Puppie™ or generic "Slush" thing.

Are we alone? No. A number of countries that have 7-Elevens are also seemingly banned from the Slurpee club. Notably Ireland, Japan, China, South Korea and Turkey.

Am I alone? No. In fact there are a lot of whiners people in Sweden who are as disgruntled about being Slurpee-less as I am. How many? Well, an on-line petition started a number of years ago (and signed by yours truly) has umm....235 signatures. Me thinks that is not enough to get the franchise owner's attention - but you get the point.

Oh well. Not much I can do really, besides spend $15,000 on a real Slurpee machine, or $100 on one of those personal ones.

So, if you're listening 7-Eleven fat cats, may it be known that I am not happy with the current situation here in Sweden and feel that my needs are not being met. Damn you.

Permalink    Labels: Stockholm, Confusion, Slurpee, Food