The Story of Convenience Shopping 7-Eleven pioneered the convenience store concept way back in 1927 at the Southland Ice Company in Dallas, Texas. In addition to selling blocks of ice to refrigerate food, an enterprising ice dock employee began offering milk, bread and eggs on Sundays and evenings when grocery stores were closed. This new business idea produced satisfied customers and increased sales, and convenience retailing was born!

The company's first convenience outlets were known as Tote'm stores since customers "toted" away their purchases, and some even sported genuine Alaskan totem poles in front. In 1946, Tote'm became 7-Eleven to reflect the stores' new, extended hours - 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., seven days a week. The company's corporate name was changed from The Southland Corporation to 7-Eleven, Inc. in 1999.

Today, 7-Eleven is the undisputed leader in convenience retailing  Based in Dallas, Texas, the company operates, franchises and licenses more than 6,970 stores in the U.S. and Canada. Of the more than 5,900 stores the company operates and franchises in the United States, some 4,550 are franchised.

Business Operations 7-Eleven and other convenience stores are operated, licensed and franchised by 7-Eleven, Inc. in North America, and they serve approximately seven million customers each day.

Each store focuses on meeting the needs of busy shoppers by providing a broad selection of fresh, high-quality products and services at everyday fair prices, along with speedy transactions and a clean, safe, friendly shopping environment.

Proprietary Products 7-Eleven is known internationally for Big Gulp® fountain soft drinks, Big Bite® hot dogs, Slurpee® beverages, and Café Select® fresh brewed coffee. The stores have expanded their food service offerings with a proprietary line of deli items and baked goods, which are prepared and delivered fresh daily.

7-Eleven also offers convenient services based on each neighborhood's individual needs, including automated money orders, copiers, fax and automatic teller machines, long-distance phone cards and lottery tickets, where available.

Global Convenience Internationally, 7-Eleven licensees and affiliates operate more than 29,300 7-Eleven and other convenience stores in countries including Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, Philippines, Indonesia, Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

In November 2005, 7-Eleven, Inc. became an indirect subsidiary of Seven & I Holdings Company, a Japan-based organization.

Company Milestones Since its inception, 7-Eleven has accomplished a number of milestones. Here is an overview.