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7-Eleven

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

7-Eleven store at East Hongju St (20170313085103)
7-Eleven store at East Hongju St (20170313085103)

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.

7-Eleven store in Pune, India
7-Eleven store in Pune, India

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 store Toyosu store Tokyo Japan 20140319
7-Eleven store Toyosu store Tokyo Japan 20140319

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

7-Eleven store in Tabok (2024-05-29)
7-Eleven store in Tabok (2024-05-29)

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.

7-Eleven store at East Hongju St (20170313085103)
7-Eleven store at East Hongju St (20170313085103)

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."

HK SYP Chong Yip Ctr 7-11 shop
HK SYP Chong Yip Ctr 7-11 shop

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.

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🖼️ Images & Media (19)
File:7-eleven logo.svg
7-eleven logo.svg
File:7-Eleven store at East Hongju St (20170313085103).jpg
7-Eleven store at East Hongju St...
File:HK SYP Chong Yip Ctr 7-11 shop.jpg
HK SYP Chong Yip Ctr 7-11 shop.jpg
File:7-Eleven store in Pune, India.jpg
7-Eleven store in Pune, India.jpg
File:7-Eleven store Toyosu store Tokyo Japan 20140319.jpg
7-Eleven store Toyosu store Tokyo Japan...
File:7 cafe Bandar Puteri Puchong (220713).jpg
7 cafe Bandar Puteri Puchong (220713).jpg
File:7-Eleven store in Tabok (2024-05-29).jpg
7-Eleven store in Tabok (2024-05-29).jpg
File:Bugis 7-Eleven 11-11-2023.jpg
Bugis 7-Eleven 11-11-2023.jpg
File:7-Eleven store Gwangju-pyeongdong-SB shop 20190522 140530.jpg
7-Eleven store Gwangju-pyeongdong-SB shop...
File:7 ELEVEn Outles in Sindian.jpg
7 ELEVEn Outles in Sindian.jpg
File:Open Chan Clock on Column of 7-Eleven Zhengtang Store 20160530.jpg
Open Chan Clock on Column of 7-Eleven...
File:7-Eleven, Bangkok, Thailand.jpg
7-Eleven, Bangkok, Thailand.jpg

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