7-Eleven

7-Eleven is a big chain of shops.

It started a long time ago in Texas. At first, it was an ice shop. It sold things like milk and bread. The name comes from its hours. It was open from 7 am to 11 pm. Now, these shops are in many lands. They sell snacks and cold drinks. You might even find a Slurpee there!

It is a place to find quick food.

7-Eleven is a famous chain of stores.

It started in Dallas, Texas, in 1927. At first, it was called the Southland Ice Company. An employee named John Jefferson Green began selling ice. He also sold milk, eggs, and bread. This helped people find food without traveling far.

Later, the stores were called Tote'm Stores. Customers "toted" their items away. Some stores even had totem poles outside. In 1946, the name changed to 7-Eleven. This name showed their new hours. They were open from 7 am to 11 pm.

Today, the company is owned by Seven & I Holdings. This is a large company from Japan. 7-Eleven has about 85,000 stores in 20 countries.

You can find them in many places, like China and Hong Kong. They sell many things. You can buy snacks, coffee, or a Slurpee. A Slurpee is a cold, frozen drink. They also sell Big Gulp drinks. These are very large sodas.

7-Eleven is a famous chain of convenience stores.

These stores help people find quick items like snacks or drinks. They are located in many different countries around the world. Today, the company has about 85,000 stores in 20 countries.

This large network makes it easy for people to shop quickly. Many people know the brand because of its famous drinks and snacks.

The way these stores work began with a simple idea. In 1927, an employee named John Jefferson Green sold ice in Dallas, Texas. He also started selling milk, eggs, and bread. This helped customers get basic food without traveling long distances. Later, the stores were named Tote'm Stores. This name came because customers "toted" their purchases away. Some stores even had totem poles outside to get attention.

The history of the company has many big changes. In 1946, the name changed to 7-Eleven. This new name reflected their long hours from 7 am to 11 pm.

In 1961, the company began franchising its stores. This means other people could run their own 7-Eleven locations. In 1973, a Japanese supermarket chain named Ito-Yokado began working with them. By 2005, the Japanese company owned 100% of 7-Eleven, Inc.

There are many interesting facts about the brand today.

One famous product is the Slurpee, which is a frozen drink. They also sell Big Gulp beverages, which are very large sodas. In 2020, 7-Eleven bought a company called Speedway for $21 billion. The company is now part of Seven & I Holdings. This is a large holding company based in Japan.

You might recognize 7-Eleven from movies or your own neighborhood. Many people use these stores to get gas or quick meals. You can find them in places like China, Hong Kong, and Thailand. In China, they even sell warm foods like steamed buns. Some stores even test new ways to shop without cashiers. 7-Eleven has changed a lot since its start in a small ice house.

7-Eleven, Inc. is a massive global convenience store chain.

It is headquartered in Irving, Texas. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Seven-Eleven Japan. This Japanese company is part of a larger retail holding company called Seven & I Holdings. 7-Eleven provides quick access to food, drinks, and gasoline. As of August 2024, the company operates or franchises roughly 85,000 stores. These stores are located in 20 different countries and territories.

The company's origins began in 1927 as the Southland Ice Company. An employee named John Jefferson Green started selling ice in Dallas, Texas. With permission from director Joe C. Thompson Sr., Green also sold milk, eggs, and bread. Thompson theorized that selling these basics would save customers long trips. He eventually bought the Southland Ice Company and formed the Southland Corporation. Between 1928 and 1946, the stores were known as Tote'm Stores. This name came from customers who "toted" their purchases away.

To attract customers, some Tote'm Stores used unique marketing. In 1928, a manager named Jenna Lira placed an Alaskan totem pole in front of a store. This caught people's attention, so executives added totem poles to every location. They even adopted an Alaska Native-inspired theme for the stores. The company also experimented with new services early on. In 1928, they began building filling stations at some Dallas locations. Thompson also focused on quality by training staff to provide consistent service. He even provided uniforms for the ice station service boys.

The company underwent several major identity and structural changes. In 1946, the name changed to 7-Eleven. This reflected new, unprecedented operating hours from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. In 1961, the Southland Corporation began its franchising model. This allowed others to operate 7-Eleven locations. In 1963, they entered the franchise business by purchasing 126 Speedee Mart stores in California. By 1968, they signed their first area licensing agreement with Garb-Ko, Inc. in Michigan. The corporate name officially became 7-Eleven, Inc. in 1999 after the company sold off other businesses.

Financial shifts changed the company's ownership significantly. In the late 1980s, a rumored takeover led chairman John Philp Thompson Sr. to attempt a management buyout. This $5.2 billion buyout was difficult due to the 1987 stock market crash. To pay off debt, the company sold assets like the Chief Auto Parts chain. In 1990, Southland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This allowed the Japanese company Ito-Yokado to acquire a 70% stake. By November 2005, Ito-Yokado reached 100% ownership.

7-Eleven is famous for specific iconic products. The Slurpee is a partially frozen soft drink introduced in 1965.

They also introduced Big Gulp beverages in 1976. These large sodas became part of popular culture. In 2012, the Double Gulp size changed from 64 ounces to 50 ounces. This was done because the older cups were too wide for vehicle holders. The company also sells 7-Select private-brand items, coffee, and fresh foods. In 2020, they even opened a cashier-less location at their Texas headquarters.

Global operations show how the brand adapts to different cultures. In China, stores offer warm foods like steamed buns and onigiri.

In Cambodia, the company plans to stock at least 50 percent of its items from local small businesses. In Hong Kong, the stores are often called "little seven."

The chain continues to grow through massive acquisitions. In 2020, 7-Eleven announced it would purchase Speedway for $21 billion. This expansion helps them maintain their presence in many American markets.