How a Dairy Queen Employee Made Millions Because of a Broken Soda Fountain 

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I would ride my bike through the snow in -15° C weather just to buy a Coke slurpee with my newspaper money when I was a kid. I bought over 1000 slurpees. In retrospect, if I had purchased Microsoft stock, which I knew about at the time, I would have 3.4 million dollars now instead of a lifetime of caffine addiction, and I regret my childish ways.

just imagine accidentally leaving a drink in the fridge and then create one of the most popular drinks in the world

I didn't know Slurpee was literally the same exact thing as ICEE, I thought it was two separate brands selling the same kind of drink, not just an exclusive rebranding done by 7-11

My ex gf is unofficially credited as the creator of the Royal Blizzard, when she got the idea of making an ice cream "hot pocket" with fudge or peanut butter in the center. This was 2015, and though she didn't get a bonus, she was promoted to head manager and given benefits, which is almost unheard-of in the fast food industry. Edit: A lot of people calling bull. Of course her name isn't attached to the product. Then again, Edison didn't invent the light bulb, someone under his employment did. Do with that information what you want.

these drinks should be a perfect time in the warm days

For the record, Winnipeg sells far more than 8,300 Slurpees each month (I did a double-take at that figure, because there is no way it could be true; there are lots of individual 7-Eleven stores that sell more than 4,000 Slurpees a month on average). The actual number is an average of 188,000 per month (as of 2021).

I didn’t know that how icees (that’s what they are called in movie theaters) were invented. My brother loves cherry icees a lot. Every time we go to a movie theater with him he has to get a large cherry icee. Thank you Omar for creating an item that my brother loves so much.

I was once asked if I was The Dairy Queen. By a small boy with a rotor on his beanie hat. I couldn’t disappoint him so “I said yes I am”. He beamed at me. This was in Ross, Ohio about 1966.

Amazing he never abandoned his idea and stuck onto it.

As a kid almost 50 years ago, there was a 7/11 nearby my house selling slurpees, and a drug store a bit further away selling Icees. I can remember going in just to check the new flavors. They would do a flavor for a while, then change to something different. I liked the 7/11 better because they changed their flavors more often. Either way, I was a fan

I’ve worked at a summer camp’s store for the last 2 summers, and probably will again this coming year. We sell these to the campers, and they make up a significant amount of the camp’s income. I’ve made and sold more of them than I can count, have perfected the art of layering different colors and adding whipped cream swirls, and found the balance between ridiculous concepts and actual good flavor so that campers will buy them (my favorite was one that included every flavor, every topping, a chicken tender, half a churro, several packs of candy from the front of the store, and every topping we had, costing approximately $17). Despite all of that, I don’t actually like them.

He also invented the brain freeze, and also the cure for a migraine headache.

My parents had the first 7-11 in town. I could have all the Slurpee I wanted as long as I didn't use the 7-11 cups. Big stuff to a pre teen.

Sometimes, even an accident can have a silver lining...this is just one of them.

I still put my sodas in the freezer and let them get that slushee consistency

Someone may have said this before, but it feels like the greatest treats are created in the strangest of circumstances

If this is what mistakes will get you then why aren't my parent billionaires?

Icee / Slurpee also owns Slush Puppy... there is no competition. They have a monopoly on slushies. Sure there's some little mom an' pop shops but they don't present real competition at this point. I'm not mad, not advocating for boycotting, I'm just saying, it is what it is, that's all. Consumers be informed.

As I've always said, some of the world's best inventions started off as accidents, so always be willing to experiment and try new things

This is the perfect example for the phrase "Mistakes makes you stronger"

I like to think all those companies that denied their product must have been kicking themselves really hard.

Don't call him a DQ employee, this man was a owner.

This channel is soo underrated

So Omar was one of the best business people ever every decision he made was the right one, he was clearly non egotistical as he took ideas from other open minded as he made deal after deal yea he was a legit genius RIP And thank you sooo much for ICEE!! I still have multiple SLURPEE cups and still remember how many times I would get an ICEE at the supermarket which would make my day!! You made BILLIONS of people and children every where happy with your genius!!

Not sure how I came here, but I wanna take a minute to thank Omar for his amazing innovation!

“they started brainstorming names for the slushy sodas” lol

How was sega started?

Funny, my mom comes from Winnipeg and i went there. There was a 711 that offered a game that if you can put a quarter in their jug of water and land it on a target then you can win a larger slurpee. I got good right away and kept winning slurpees for myself and my cousin. I remember in about 1978 in NJ that we used a slurpee cup to hold our silverware after washing dishes but I think it was the xmen. It was a comic book slurpee cup.

"whoops! i left my drink in the freezer of too long, time to sell them and make something extraordinary."

I was at least 10% of Icee’s consumer base alone. I collected the cups!

I always thought Slurpee and Icee were different brands.

“Wealth should be created by investing to create more wealth. Income is the fruit of wealth. If you do not do that, you will not have more income.”

These stories, and how you deliver them, are very inspirational.

The legacy of the Icee machine goes beyond simply the Slurpee. Frozen margarita and daiquiri machines are likely to be in almost every bar these days, and frozen coffee machines probably get as much use a Slurpee machines in 7-11s.

As a huge fan of this drink, I am thankful that he accidentally found this idea and started marketing it to customers. Given a choice between many drinks, I would pick an ICEE 95% of the time when I don't choose water.

I remember when slurpee's were first a thing, my friends and I would ride our bikes to 7-11 to get our favorite refreshment. My son and I would go to 7-11 every Saturday to get a slurpee, those were great memories. My favorite flavor is a combination of cherry and banana, you have to layer the flavors.

Thank a lot to the The HOOK founder and team ! ❤️

OMG, I live in germany and drink them like at least once per summer. I always wondered how it got so popular and how it was made.

“Slurpee is arguably the world’s most popular drink.” Err, I think there’s quite a bit of position for that spot.

These documentaries are so fascinating!

He made people HAPPY.

Amazing! I remember my parents getting us a Slurpee back in the 60s when we would go to the beach. The first time I saw an Icee Machine, I thought that they are just trying to copy the Slurpee!

Know if this guy could only figure out how to fix the ice cream machines at McDonald’s we would all be grateful

I don't really care who made the icee/slurpee I'm just happy it exists but thanks for the video you did a great job editing it and such

... the slushie was invented in 1958!? Its... its over 70 years old? My crisis is now existential.

im hooked to watching hook

"There are no mistakes, just happy little accidents." -Bob Ross

As a Winnipegger I am glad to learn about the origins of the Slurpee, and even more glad that we got a mention in this video.

winnipeger here, i can confirm we don't care about the tempurate outside we will go get slurpees in -40c its a tradition

Amazing video man Keep up the work 👍🏻

Dude wasn't so much an employee as somebody who has enough in savings to buy a Dairy Queen

I used to live in Winnipeg. And they really were proud of being slurpee capital

I remember ICEE and always thought they were a different brand than Slurpee. Also, I remember the slurp song. Even played it at a party once or twice lol This was a fun one to watch...

A the north face video would be epic

Also gotta love those free 7-11 Slurpee days! 😂😂💯

-40 slurpees are underrated because it's a cool drink that stays consistent in texture. Unlike normal drinks that otherwise freeze and are undrinkable until they get warm, and no one wants to warm up soft drinks, that's gross.

When my kids were little I used to occasionally drive around to the few 7-11's we had during the freebie day and other days just to get a flavor they were craving. It brings back nice memories of goofing around in the van with their friends as well and being awesome because we went from building to vehicle to building and stayed in AC all the time. It's so hot in my area around July it was kinda nice to just drive around with the kids laughing and having an innocent day

If suffering from success was a person

We had mini versions of these at my middle school. I personally didn’t like them, but I know a lot of others did. But we do have a froyo machine at my high school that is amazing.

"In the following years he retired and developed kidney problems" The wording makes it sound like he was making kidney problems, lol.

Why does the narrator keep saying Omar opened Ice Cream shops, when he actually started with Ice Cream trucks...

Wow, Icee’s starting career was also the starting career for 7-Eleven

Adding pressure to liquid does NOT increase its density until you reach center of a supernova or black hole level of pressure.

"After investing in a series of hotels, he lost so much money he had to dip into his savings"

I love this video so much thank you for making my life so much better from my bottom of my heart.

Every time I go in to get a Slurpee, and just that, it's always been free. Thanks Casey's on 84th street. You the real ones

Well popsicle were made by a kid leaving a cup of Kool aid outside in winter

I thought, with the Dairy Queen hook it was going to be about the "Mister Misty" slush drink sold at Dairy Queen. Did Dairy Queen steal his idea?

I’ve been watching since 60k subs, keep up the great work

Those customers were a W for enjoying one of Omars failed Soda attempts 🗣️🔥

Sadly, you can't use the double gulp cup for the flipping slurpy 😔😔😔😔😔

When your birthday is 7/11 and you live in the city so there's no chance of getting a free one😂😂😂 those places be PACKED

Sprite and Fanta are amazing drinks

My family is origin from Coffeyville and I have never heard this story. This is amazing! Thanks for sharing this story.

Wow. When I was a kid and even young adult, I wouldn't buy ICEE if I could help it. I was a loyal Slurpee customer. I feel so silly.

YOU CANNOT USE THE DOUBLE GOLP CUP FOR THE SLURPEE

interestingly, here in the UK ive never had a "slurpee" but ive had loads of "slush puppy"s which was the machine that was everywhere when I was a kid.

Who else didn't know Slurpees were just renamed ICEEs?

Meanwhile I’m here in Japan with 7-11s all around me but not a single one has Slurpees. Not only that but they don’t even recognize 7/11 day at all.

wow they sold a whole 000,000,000 cups amazing

Always a good watch.👍

Amazing... an accidentally created soft drink is then accidently partially frozen to create an empire.

In ireland or maybe even Europe, Slurpees are known as Slush puppies

I love your rags to riches stories. Omar the slurpee king! I am an inventor too.

So similar to how flavoured iceblocks were invented. Though in the iceblock case it was a young boy leaving cordial outside overnight in Europe

The Hook brings you back.

I just came here for story I never tried slurpee myself because it's not available in India but if they came they can make huge profits

On a hot Saturday afternoon, a giant slurpee with 3 or 4 shots of your favorite liqour always hits the spot

Wow it's like I'm really watching TV with interrupting ads and everything. True innovation.

Slurpees are not arguably the world's most popular drink. Water? Coffee? Tea? Nope. According to this video, it's Slurpees.

My god some stores that are gone are still being said. It’s sad to see them go.

Ironically, Dairy Queen would go on to have a frozen drink called Mr.Misty, I wonder if he was involved?

Why is it always,when someone sucks a new thing is born

I think it's quite funny that the guys surname literally means "Dumpling" in Czech.

I was drinking out of the Slurpee cup from the Star Wars promotional campaign when I watched this. Didn't even realize immediately that this is where it was going.

You mention that he took 5 years to perfect the design for the patent, but end with, "discovered by accident."

I've never had a Slurpee ,but I have had a Icee.

I'd have a icee machine in my house if I could. I love them! Cherry and Coke are my favorite and I mix them

Okie now the space part caught me off guard