Things you learn:

John Philip Thompson, former chairman and CEO of The Southland Corporation, now 7-Eleven, Inc., died Jan. 28, 2003, at age 77 of brain cancer... During his tenure, the company introduced the Slurpee, launching the frozen carbonated beverage (FCB) category in 1967. Fresh-brewed coffee-to-go was first offered in 1964, and the Big Gulp soft drink was launched in 1980.

7-Eleven was originally named for its operating hours: 7:00 am to 11:00 pm.