Alon’s ‘Load-the-Code’ Program Goes Mobile

DALLAS -- Alon Brands Inc.'s popular "Load-the-Code" marketing program is going mobile. The company introduced the Load-the-Code mobile app, intended to make it easier for customers to enter to win prizes and vote to support local charitable organizations.

The free app, available to iPhone and Android users, allows consumers to enter to win free gas and other prizes, including a 2014 Ford F-150; vote for deserving local charitable organizations to win cash donations from Alon Brands; earn badges for achieving key participation milestones; and find the nearest ALON convenience store location.

Each customer is allowed one Load-the-Code sweepstakes entry and one charity vote per day through Sept. 30.

“We strongly believe that being an integrated part of the community is not only a wise business philosophy, but a necessary moral directive,” said Alon Brands President and CEO Kyle McKeen. “The Load-the-Code program enables us to reward our loyal customers and provide financial help to valuable organizations in our communities.”

Alon's Load-the-Code program and corresponding Clean TEAM Clean 13 program proved quite popular in 2013. The company gave away 13 new cars last year, some of which went to customers, while others were donated to worthy charitable organizations, which it dubbed the Cars-4-Cause initiative.

During a 2013 fiscal third-quarter earnings conference call for parent company Alon USA Energy Inc. in November, McKeen noted that the Clean TEAM program helped Alon Brands' quarterly merchandise margins to increase by more than $1 million year over year, in addition to providing great prizes for customers and charities alike.

This year, in addition to giving away a new truck to a lucky customer, Alon Brands announced that it will donate a total of $100,000 to meet the specific needs of 10 community champion organizations. This was inspired by the success of the Cars-4-Cause initiative.

“The Cars-4-Cause program introduced us to a number of fantastic organizations that are directly supporting the communities we call home. It also reminded us of the great financial need that exists among these groups,” McKeen said. “So, this year, each organization has given us a wish list, and our customers are going to help us make those dreams a reality.”

Dallas-based Alon Brands is the largest 7-Eleven licensee in North America and markets ALON motor fuel products at more than 800 locations.