Dallas — 7-Eleven, Inc. is celebrating its 40,000th store on Friday, February 25, 2011. During 2010, 7-Eleven opened more than 2,500 stores globally.
Dallas — 7-Eleven, Inc., which began in 1927 selling milk and bread from an ice dock in Oak Cliff, Texas, has grown into an international powerhouse with more retail outlets than any other company in the world — 40,000 stores and counting. The company is celebrating this milestone with a reception Friday, Feb. 25, at its headquarters in Dallas.
During 2010, 7-Eleven opened more than 2,500 7-Eleven® stores globally, according to President and CEO Joe DePinto. “The growth potential is tremendous, both domestically and internationally,” DePinto continues, “as we operate in only 16 countries today. We are continuing to aggressively pursue expansion across the chain.”
Approximately 75% of 7-Eleven stores are franchised by independent business operators running local neighborhood stores.
7-Eleven, Inc. has experienced many milestones in its history, including:
1949: 7-Eleven was the first convenience retailer to air television commercials.
1964: Coffee-to-go was introduced to U.S. consumers by a 7-Eleven store on Long Island, N.Y.
1966: 7-Eleven introduces its iconic drink, the Slurpee® frozen carbonated beverage.
1984: First convenience store to offer ATM service
1991: 7-Eleven was the first convenience store to open third-party distribution, bakery and commissary facilities to deliver fresh foods every day of the year to its stores.
1998: The first self-serve, multi-purpose financial kiosk was developed by 7-Eleven.
2004: 7-Eleven was the first retailer to offer its own prepaid wireless phone program.
2007: 7-Eleven introduced nationally the first herbal-extract enhanced coffee sold in a cup, which was called Fusion Energy.
2010: 7-Eleven partnered with Zynga, a social gaming company, in its first retail promotion with millions of consumers redeeming exclusive virtual items within wildly popular online games like Farmville, Yoville and Mafia Wars.
The following shows 7-Eleven, Inc.’s climb to 40,000 stores:
1927: First store
1952: 100 stores
1963: 1,000 stores
1984: 10,000 stores
2003: 25,000 stores
2010: 40,000 stores
Based in Dallas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 8,300 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 40,000 stores in 16 countries. For more information, visit www.7-Eleven.com.