Circle K Blind-Taste Coffee Test Beats 'Gas-Station Coffee' Stigma

The company is so confident, it will give away free coffee on January 25.

January 19, 2023

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Circle K recently performed a blind tasting of the brand’s in-store coffee, and participating coffee lovers were shocked when they learned they were drinking Circle K coffee. Circle K is so confident that everyone will have the same experience, they are offering free coffee nationwide on Wednesday, January 25.

To conduct the blind-taste test, Circle K created a trendy-looking “Kafe”-branded coffee truck—the type typically associated with artisan, barista-style coffee vendors—and served up the same coffee available in its U.S. stores to unsuspecting passers-by. Participants were asked for their taste and quality impressions before the Circle K logo was revealed. The unveiling surprised and delighted them, and there was a resounding vote of confidence, dismissing the sigma of “gas-station coffee.”

“At Circle K, we’re really proud of the coffee we offer our customers and believe it stacks up against the world’s best cups of coffee. So proud, in fact, that we’re giving it away for free for everyone to give it a try,” said David Hall, vice president of global food service at Circle K.

Watch the blind-taste test play out here: Kafe from Circle K

Circle K serves more than 120 million cups of coffee across the U.S. annually. The company recently invested in installing bean-to-cup coffee machines in its more than 7,000 U.S. stores and is filling them with only 100% sustainably sourced premium coffee beans.

Circle K also offers its Sip & Save monthly beverage subscription, and coffee is part of the deal. For $5.99 a month, customers get one preferred beverage every day.

Royal Farms is also offering its loyalty members free coffee on Mondays from now through Monday, February 27. The promotion is available for RoFo Rewards members only, and the free coffee can be any sized, hot or cold.

“During the cold winter months when daylight hours are shortened, we understand how our moods are impacted. At Royal Farms, we want to make these cold Mondays a little bit easier by giving our RoFo Rewards Members something free and delicious to look forward to,” said Frank Schilling, director of marketing and merchandising, Royal Farms.

Also, EG America recently announced its “Share the Warmth Wednesday” promotion, allowing customers who purchase any size coffee on Wednesdays will get a second one free of charge. EG America encourages customers to share their daily coffee with family, friends, coworkers and loved ones, spreading the love through the colder months. The promo runs from now through February 22 at all Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N’ Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop, Sprint, Tom Thumb and Turkey Hill stores.

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