Gourmet News

‘We See You. We Thank You.” Theme for NACS 24/7 Day

Published July 15, 2025

On Thursday, July 24, the U.S. convenience store industry will unite for the seventh annual 24/7 Day, a nationwide celebration recognizing everyday heroes—including first responders, EMTs, doctors, nurses, 9-1-1 professionals and American Red Cross volunteers—who serve our communities around the clock. Organized by the NACS Foundation, the day offers a visible show of gratitude from an industry also known for its 24/7 support of communities.

This year’s theme “We See You. We Thank You.” speaks to the often-unheralded work that first responders do—running toward disasters when others must evacuate or flee. The national 24/7 Day celebration raises awareness and recognizes these heroes from one of their largest supporters—convenience store retailers and industry suppliers. Across the country, more than 90 convenience retailing companies and brands representing 35,000 stores will have unique offers (such as free coffee, free meals or branded merchandise) for first responders and Red Cross volunteers in uniform or with a valid badge. The event will also raise awareness of and donations for the Red Cross.

As part of this year’s celebration, the NACS Foundation debuted its First Responder of the Year Award program, honoring outstanding individuals who go above and beyond in service to their communities. The winner will be selected from nationwide nominations and receive free gas for a year, thanks to NACS Foundation partner GSTV. Like all the initiatives that are part of 24/7 Day, this specific spotlight for local heroes and their stories on a national stage gives the convenience store industry a meaningful way to thank and celebrate the people who keep their local communities safe every day.

“Convenience stores often serve as lifelines in times of crisis—offering first responders a place to assess emergency situations, recharge, reconnect and stay fueled,” said Kevin O’Connell, executive director of the NACS Foundation. “This celebration is about honoring a shared commitment to the communities we both serve.”

Participating retailers each support 24/7 Day with a tailored offer to first responders. A full list of participants, as well as what each store is offering, is available at www.247day.org and a map sharing the location of each participating store in the country is at www.247Day.org/map.

This year, the celebration includes: 36 Lyn Refuel Station, Allsup’s and Yesway, Car-Go Express, Casey’s, CEFCO, CFCA, Circle K, Coen Markets, EG America brands (Certified Oil, Cumberland Farms, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop Markets, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb, Turkey Hill Minit Markets), Enmarket, Estepp’s, Fastime, FavTrip, G Spot, Gas N Wash, Good 2 Go, GPM Investment Brands (1-Stop, Admiral, Apple Market, BreadBox, Express Stop, E-Z Mart, fas mart, fastmarket, Flash Market, Handy Mart, Jiffi Stop, Jiffy Stop Food Marts, Li’l Cricket, Next Door Store, Pride, Quarles, R Store, Roadrunner Markets, Scotchman, shore stop, Town Star, UNCLE’S, Village Pantry, Youngs), High’s, Hop Shops, Ideal Market, Kwik Trip, Loop Neighborhood Markets, Louisiana Truck Stop & Gaming Administration (Bigtop Travel Center, Coushatta Truck Stop, Houma Coteau Travel Plaza, I-220 Travel Plaza, Mansfield Travel Plaza, Opelousas 190 Truck Stop, Southern Belle Truck Stop, Quick Draw Travel Plaza, Waverly Truck Stop), Minuteman Food Mart, Mountain View Co-op, OnCue, On the Run, Onvo, Poppy Market, RaceTrac, Rmarts, Rutter’s, Sheetz, Spinx, Sprint Mart, St. Romain Oil Co./Y-Not Stop, The Convenience Group, The Hub Convenience Stores, The Markets of Tiger Fuel Company, Thorntons, TXB, U-Stop Convenience Shops, United Pacific (Rocket and Alta Convenience), Wawa and the Wawa Foundation, and Weigel’s.

Leading supplier brands like Anheuser-Busch, Keurig Dr Pepper, Reynolds American, and NENA are also joining the celebration through in-store activations, giveaways and national awareness efforts.

“Our continued partnership with the NACS Foundation and its member convenience stores is one of the strongest examples of how we ensure our incredible volunteers and other community heroes are recognized,” said Nathan Measom, director of national cause marketing for the American Red Cross. “Whether it’s responding to disasters, organizing blood drives or supporting families, our volunteers go above and beyond to serve others. Taking a moment to celebrate these everyday acts is incredibly important.”

The NACS Foundation invites the public to join in 24/7 Day celebrations by:

Spreading the word to first responders to visit participating convenience stores on July 24
Donating to the American Red Cross directly to support disaster relief funds
Share appreciation stories on social media using #247Day and #conveniencecares

Applebee’s Launches Alex’s Lemonade Stand Fundraiser

Published July 15, 2025

Applebee’s kicked off its annual fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding pediatric cancer research and family support programs. In celebration of its 21-year partnership with ALSF, now through Aug. 31, Applebee’s will donate 50¢ from the sale of every NEW Strawberry Lemon Sunshine sold in restaurant to ALSF. Additionally, Applebee’s restaurants nationwide will transform into “Lemonade Stands” and invite guests and neighbors to join in the fight to end childhood cancer.

Since the partnership first began in 2005, Applebee’s has raised more than $18 million for ALSF, funding 360,000 hours of pediatric cancer research for scientists to search for more cures for all kids with cancer.

“We’re honored to celebrate 21 years of partnership with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation and to have raised more than $18 million to fund lifesaving pediatric cancer research,” said John Peyton, Applebee’s president and Dine Brands CEO. “At Applebee’s, we take Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood to heart and together with our franchisees and guests, look forward to raising more than ever this year!”

This year guests can join Applebee’s to support ALSF’s Childhood Cancer Heroes in their fight through the following ways:

Add $1, $5, $10 or $20 Digital Lemons to their cart when ordering on Applebees.com or the Applebee’s mobile app.
Enjoy a refreshing NEW Strawberry Lemon Sunshine when dining in restaurant – from which 50¢ will be donated to ALSF.
Click the “Donate Now” button to contribute when purchasing an Applebee’s Gift Card on Applebees.com.
Head to your local Applebee’s to learn more ways your local restaurant may be participating!

“Applebee’s is one of ALSF’s most dedicated partners, raising money in neighborhoods across the country since 2005,” said Liz Scott, Alex’s mom, and Co-Executive Director of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. “Applebee’s prominence and national reach have helped introduce countless people over the years to ALSF and raised more than $18 million in the fight against childhood cancer. We are truly grateful for their continued partnership to help find cures and support families during their child’s treatment and beyond.”

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of 4-year-old Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was fighting cancer and wanted to raise money to find cures for all children with cancer. By the time Alex passed away at the age of 8, she had raised $1 million. Since then, the Foundation bearing her name has evolved into a worldwide fundraising movement and the largest independent childhood cancer charity in the U.S. ALSF is a leader in funding pediatric research projects across the globe and providing programs to families affected by childhood cancer. For more information, visit AlexsLemonade.org.

For more than 40 years, Applebee’s restaurants have been committed to Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood®. Local restaurants make a positive impact on the communities around them throughout the year by hosting hundreds of events or fundraisers in their restaurants, whether to help local heroes and military, support children and schools, raise funds for local charities that help neighbors, or even to help their own team members who may be in need. In addition to these local efforts, for the past 18 years, Applebee’s and its franchisees have thanked Veterans and Active Duty military on Veterans Day by serving more than 12.2 million free meals. Together, Applebee’s and its franchisees donate millions of dollars and thousands of volunteer hours to Doin’ Good in the Neighborhood each year.

To find your local restaurant to dine in, visit Applebees.com/restaurants. To order Applebee’s To Go or delivery, visit Applebees.com or the Applebee’s mobile app (iOS, Google).

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NBA Star Brings BIGFACE Coffee to San Francisco

Published July 14, 2025

Golden State Warriors star and Square seller Jimmy Butler has brought BIGFACE to San Francisco through an exclusive pop-up at Square’s Corner Store in the Mission District. The two-week pop-up, running from July 10 to 27, marks Butler’s first local business venture since joining the Warriors, connecting his entrepreneurial passion with his new home and community in the Bay Area.

Butler’s BIGFACE journey began in 2020, when his deep personal passion for coffee merged with an unmet need for high-quality coffee in the NBA bubble. Butler started brewing and selling out of his hotel room for fellow players, and BIGFACE was born. Since then, BIGFACE has evolved into a thriving business, a premium lifestyle brand, and a respected name in specialty coffee. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on sustainably sourcing the finest specialty coffees on the planet, BIGFACE coffee not only tastes remarkable, but also supports the people and ecosystems behind each cup.

Butler turned to Square when he opened the BIGFACE flagship store in Miami in 2024, and uses Square to power payments when BIGFACE pops up at cultural and sporting events like PSG House in LA and the Miami Grand Prix. BIGFACE’s Miami flagship not only sports Square Register, Square Terminal, and the new Square Handheld – but also features a sleek Modbar espresso set up, a grab-and-go BIGFACE ReadyBev station, and an exclusive collection of premium apparel and gear, making it a cultural hub for coffee and creativity.

“San Francisco’s coffee culture is legendary, making the city an ideal fit for BIGFACE,” said Jimmy Butler, founder of BIGFACE Coffee. “Coffee brings people from all different backgrounds together, so partnering with Square to bring BIGFACE to the Mission is the perfect way to connect more deeply with the Bay Area and show love to a community that’s embraced me.”

The BIGFACE pop-up will offer espresso drinks, cold brew, and pour-over coffee, all of which can be personalized with BIGFACE’s signature coffee infusions, including vanilla, salted caramel, and strawberry. Bottled and canned ReadyBev coffees and juices will also be available. BIGFACE is designing SF-exclusive merch for the pop-up, which pays homage to the location’s legacy as the former home of beloved Lucca Ravioli, and is only available at the Corner Store. Customers paying with a Cash App Card will receive 15% off all purchases at the pop-up.

“Jimmy Butler’s evolution from NBA all-star to coffee entrepreneur perfectly exemplifies how passion and the right tools can transform any business dream into reality,” said Lindsey Irvine, Head of Marketing at Square. “At Square, we know that local business matters, and that sellers are among the most powerful community connectors. Giving Jimmy a space to connect more closely with the local community is the perfect next chapter for the Corner Store.”

Event Details:

What: BIGFACE, powered by Square – a cultural hub and coffee pop-up
Where: The Corner Store, 1100 Valencia Street, Mission District, San Francisco
When: July 10-27, 2025, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

The Next Evolution of the Corner Store

The BIGFACE pop-up follows the Corner Store’s successful June programming that celebrated San Francisco’s small business community through workshops, networking events, and educational sessions. More than 2,000 neighborhood locals and businesses have been served by the Corner Store so far.

Following the BIGFACE pop-up, Square will partner with local nonprofit SF New Deal to bring a local business operator into residency at the Corner Store through the remainder of the year, continuing both organizations’ missions to support and showcase small and local businesses. SF New Deal strengthens neighborhoods by making it easier for under-resourced small business owners to succeed.

For more information about BIGFACE, please visit www.bigfacebrand.com. For more information about Square, please visit squareup.com.

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