7-Eleven facts for kids
Logo since 2021
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Formerly
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| Private | |
| Industry | Retail (convenience stores) |
| Founded | 1927 (as Southland Ice Company) |
| Founder | Joe C. Thompson |
| Headquarters | 3200 Hackberry Road,
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United States
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Number of locations
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84,500 (2024) |
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Area served
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Key people
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| Products | Convenience foods and beverages, gasoline |
| Owner | Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. (Seven & I Holdings) |
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Number of employees
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135,332 (2021) |
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7-Eleven, Inc. is a popular chain of convenience stores. It started in the United States but is now owned by a Japanese company called Seven & I Holdings through Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd.. The company's main office is in Irving, Texas.
7-Eleven began in 1927 as a small shop that sold ice in Dallas. Over the years, it grew and changed its name several times. Today, 7-Eleven runs, franchises, and licenses over 84,500 stores in 19 different countries and regions. In the United States, you might also see stores like Speedway and Stripes Convenience Stores that are part of the 7-Eleven family.
Contents
What's in a Name?
The first stores in Dallas were called "Tote'm Stores." This name came from how customers would "tote" (carry) their purchases away. Some stores even had cool totem poles outside!
In 1946, the company changed its name to "7-Eleven." This new name showed off their longer hours: 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., seven days a week. This was a big deal back then! Later, in 1999, the US company's name officially became "7-Eleven Inc."
Have you ever noticed the small 'n' in the 7-Eleven logo? Since 1968, the 'n' has been lowercase. The wife of the company's president in the 1960s thought the all-capital letters looked too strong. She suggested the change to make the logo look "more graceful."
How 7-Eleven Started and Grew
In 1927, a worker named John Jefferson Green started selling eggs, milk, and bread from an ice house in Dallas. He got permission from Joe C. Thompson Sr., one of the company's founders. Thompson believed that selling basic items like bread and milk in small, easy-to-reach stores would help customers. He later bought the Southland Ice Company and turned it into the Southland Corporation.
In 1928, a store manager brought a totem pole from Alaska. It became a great way to get people's attention! Soon, all the stores had totem poles and were called "Tote'm Stores." The company also started adding filling stations to some locations. Joe Thompson made sure all stores offered the same good quality and service.
The Great Depression in 1931 made things tough for the company, almost leading to bankruptcy. But they worked hard to get back on track.
In 1946, to help the company grow after World War II, the name changed to 7-Eleven. This was because stores were open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. In 1963, a store in Austin, Texas, stayed open all night to meet customer needs. This led to 7-Eleven trying out a 24-hour schedule in more cities.
7-Eleven started its franchise business in 1963. This meant other people could open their own 7-Eleven stores using the company's name and ideas.
In the late 1980s, the company faced financial challenges. In 1990, a Japanese company called Ito-Yokado took control of 70% of the company. This helped 7-Eleven get back on its feet. In 1999, the Southland Corporation officially changed its name to 7-Eleven, Inc. By 2005, 7-Eleven, Inc. became a fully owned part of Seven-Eleven Japan.
7-Eleven has continued to grow. In 2010, the first "green" 7-Eleven store opened in DeLand, Florida. It uses Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) elements to save energy. That same year, 7-Eleven launched a mobile app for its famous Slurpee drink. By 2013, the company had opened its 60,000th store worldwide!
In 2020, 7-Eleven bought Speedway, another big convenience store chain. In 2021, they launched a large advertising campaign to show that 7-Eleven offers "real restaurant quality food."
Popular Products and Services
7-Eleven in the United States is famous for its Slurpee drinks, which are partially frozen soft drinks first sold in 1965. They also have Big Gulp beverages, introduced in 1976.
Other things you can find at 7-Eleven include:
- 7-Select brand products
- Coffee
- Fresh sandwiches, salads, and bakery items
- Hot foods
- Gasoline
- Dairy products and juices
- Energy drinks
- Donuts
- Financial services
- Product delivery services
7-Eleven is known for its large drink sizes and being open 24 hours a day. The Team Gulp, for example, holds 128 ounces! In 2012, the Double Gulp size was changed from 64 ounces to 50 ounces so it would fit better in car cup holders.
In 2020, 7-Eleven opened a cashier-less store at its headquarters in Irving, Texas. This means you can just grab your items and go!
7-Eleven Around the World
7-Eleven stores are found in many countries, each with its own unique local touches.
Asia
Cambodia
The first 7-Eleven in Cambodia opened in 2021 in Phnom Penh. They plan to sell at least 50% local products from small businesses.
China
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7-Eleven came to China in 1992. You can find them in many big cities like Beijing and Shanghai. In China, Slurpees are called "sīlèbīng." Stores also offer warm foods like steamed buns and onigiri (rice balls). Most stores are open 24 hours.
Hong Kong
7-Eleven opened in Hong Kong in 1981. People often call it "little seven" or "seven eleven" in Chinese. Hong Kong has one of the highest numbers of 7-Eleven stores in a small area. You can even pay for things like utility bills there! Some stores have "7 Café" counters that sell traditional Hong Kong street food and milk tea.
India
In 2021, 7-Eleven partnered with Reliance Retail to open stores in India. The first store opened in Mumbai.
Indonesia
7-Eleven stores opened in Indonesia in 2008, mostly in Jakarta. However, they closed in 2017 due to low sales.
Israel
The first 7-Eleven store in Israel opened in January 2023 in Tel Aviv. There are plans to open hundreds more stores across the country.
Japan
- Further information: Seven-Eleven Japan
Japan's first 7-Eleven store in Kōtō, Tokyo opened in May 1974
Japan has the most 7-Eleven stores in the world, with over 21,000 locations! They are part of the Seven & i Holdings company. Japanese 7-Eleven stores offer a huge variety of products and services. Tourists love them because the Seven Bank ATMs accept foreign cards for withdrawing Japanese yen. Many stores also use solar panels and LED lights to be more eco-friendly.
Laos
The first 7-Eleven in Laos opened in September 2023 in Vientiane.
Macau
Macau got its first 7-Eleven in 2005. It has the highest density of 7-Eleven stores in the world, meaning there's a store almost everywhere you look!
Malaysia
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Malaysian 7-Eleven stores are owned by 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. The first store opened in Kuala Lumpur in 1984. There are now over 3,200 stores across the country.
Philippines
In the Philippines, 7-Eleven is run by the Philippine Seven Corporation. The first store opened in Quezon City in 1984. They have expanded to many cities like Cebu City and Davao City. In 2020, 7-Eleven partnered with GCash, a mobile payment app, so customers can pay by scanning a barcode. By 2021, 7-Eleven Philippines had opened its 3,000th store!
Singapore
Singapore has over 390 7-Eleven stores, making it the largest chain of convenience stores there. The first store opened in 1983. For a while, many Shell gas stations also had 7-Eleven stores, but that partnership ended in 2017.
South Korea
South Korea has a lot of 7-Eleven stores, over 11,000! The first store opened in Seoul in 1989. In 2010, 7-Eleven bought another convenience store chain called Buy the Way and changed its stores to 7-Eleven. They also work with a group to help people from North Korea find jobs and open franchises.
Taiwan
7-Eleven is the biggest convenience store chain in Taiwan. The first stores opened in 1979. At first, they had trouble making money, but then they started selling Asian foods, and business got much better. By 2014, they had opened their 5,000th store!
In the early 2000s, 7-Eleven in Taiwan introduced a cartoon mascot named Open-Chan. He's an alien dog with a rainbow crown! Open-Chan became very popular with kids in Taiwan and even in Japan. The unique culture of 7-Eleven in Taiwan has become a big part of Taiwanese culture.
Thailand
The first 7-Eleven in Thailand opened in 1989 in Bangkok. Thailand has the second-largest number of 7-Eleven stores after Japan, with over 13,800 locations. In 2018, the company announced plans to reduce and eventually stop using single-use plastic bags to help the environment.
United Arab Emirates
The first 7-Eleven store in the United Arab Emirates opened in Dubai in 2015. They plan to open many more stores there.
Vietnam
The first 7-Eleven store in Vietnam opened in 2017, making Vietnam the 17th country to have the convenience store chain.
Australia
The first 7-Eleven in Australia opened in 1977 in Melbourne. Most stores are in cities. Many 7-Eleven stores in Australia are also petrol stations. In 2010, 7-Eleven bought Mobil's gas stations in Australia, which helped them grow a lot.
Australian 7-Eleven stores sell newspapers, drinks, candy, and snacks. They also sell gift cards and have ATMs inside. Every year on November 7, 7-Eleven celebrates "7-Eleven Day." In the past, they gave away free Slurpees!
Europe
Denmark
The first 7-Eleven store in Denmark opened in Copenhagen in 1993. There are over 180 stores, mostly in big cities. In Denmark, 7-Eleven partners with Shell for gas stations and with the railway company DSB to have stores at train stations. In 2022, 7-Eleven in Denmark had a computer attack that caused stores to close temporarily, but no customer information was stolen.
Norway
7-Eleven has been in Norway since 1986. A Norwegian company called Reitan Convenience bought the rights to use the 7-Eleven name in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark in 2004.
Sweden
7-Eleven came to Sweden in 1984. Reitan also owns the 7-Eleven stores here, and there are almost 200 stores across Sweden.
United Kingdom
7-Eleven stores were in London and the South East of England during the 1980s. The first store opened in 1985. There were 57 stores in the United Kingdom when they were sold in 1997. The company has announced plans to return to the UK market.
North America
Canada
The first 7-Eleven store in Canada opened in Calgary, Alberta, in 1969. There are over 560 stores in Canada. Winnipeg, Manitoba, is known for having the most Slurpee drinkers in the world! Like in the U.S., Canadian 7-Eleven stores offer free Slurpees on "7-Eleven Day" (July 11).
Some 7-Eleven locations in Canada also have gas stations from Shell, Petro-Canada, or Esso. In 2016, 7-Eleven bought 148 Esso gas stations in Alberta and British Columbia.
Mexico
In Mexico, the first 7-Eleven store opened in 1976 in Monterrey. It was first called Super 7, but changed to 7-Eleven in 1995. There are now over 1,800 stores in Mexico. If a store is in an old or important building, its sign might be in gold or silver instead of the usual colors.
United States
The United States has over 8,100 7-Eleven stores. The main office for 7-Eleven America is in Irving, Texas. Small Slurpees are free on "7-Eleven Day," which is July 11. This tradition became popular in 2008. In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, members got a free Slurpee in their app instead.
In 2020, 7-Eleven bought over 100 independently run 7-Eleven stores in Oklahoma. Before this, these stores had some differences, like calling Slurpees "Icy Drinks." Now, they are fully part of the national 7-Eleven brand.
In 2021, 7-Eleven launched a new ad campaign with the slogan "Take it to Eleven." This phrase means to take something to the highest level, like turning a volume knob "up to eleven."
By 2023, 7-Eleven announced plans for "7Charge," its own network of electric vehicle charging stations. These stations will be at 7-Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes locations.
Gasoline at 7-Eleven
Many 7-Eleven stores in the U.S. also sell gasoline. They often partner with different gas companies like Gulf, Exxon, Mobil, or Shell. In recent years, some 7-Eleven locations have started selling their own "7-Eleven branded fuel."
7-Eleven also has its own fuel network called 7 Fleet. This is for business customers and truck drivers, especially at locations with special fueling lanes for big trucks.
In 2020, Seven & i Holdings bought Speedway LLC for $21 billion. This deal added many more gas stations to the 7-Eleven family.
See also
In Spanish: 7-Eleven para niños
- List of convenience stores
- UtoteM
