7-Eleven Convenience Store

7-Eleven is a global convenience store chain that originated in the United States in 1927 as the Southland Ice Company. Over the decades, it expanded its operations and underwent several name changes, becoming Tote'm Stores in 1928 and Southland Corporation in 1961. In 1991, the Japanese company Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. acquired a controlling stake in 7-Eleven, Inc., and by 2005, it became a wholly owned subsidiary. Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. is a subsidiary of Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd., a Japanese retail holding company. As of 2024, 7-Eleven operates approximately 85,000 stores across 20 countries and territories, including the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. The brand is known for its convenience stores offering a wide range of products and services, including food, beverages, and gasoline. In 2025, Stephen Hayes Dacus was appointed as the first non-Japanese CEO of Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd., marking a significant leadership change for the company. Additionally, in March 2025, Seven & I Holdings announced plans to spin off its U.S. store operations into a publicly traded entity by the end of 2026, following a takeover bid from Alimentation Couche-Tard, the owner of Circle K. This strategic move aims to focus on core convenience store operations and raise capital for share buybacks. The 7-Eleven brand continues to be a prominent player in the global convenience store market, with a significant presence in various countries worldwide.