DALLAS -- 7-Eleven Inc. has long held the position of the company with more convenience stores than any other, but now has overtaken quick-serve restaurants and food providers in the number of retail outlets worldwide.
With a net of 1,086 new stores opened year to date, 7-Eleven became the food retailer with the most units, beating McDonald's, which reported 31,062 as of March 31, 2007, and Subway Restaurants, with approximately 27,836. 7-Eleven operated, franchised and licensed 32,711 stores by the end of June. One year ago, 7-Eleven ranked second in [image-nocss] units, but has since stepped up its domestic and overseas expansion.
While 7-Eleven is rapidly expanding with a market-concentration strategy, the chain only operates in 17 countries and one U.S. territory, giving it tremendous growth potential, especially when compared to McDonald's, which operates in 118 countries, and Subway, with locations in 86 countries.
7-Eleven currently has stores in the United States (with more than 7,200 stores), Canada, Mexico, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, China, Malaysia, South Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Turkey and Puerto Rico. Nearly 50% of 7-Eleven stores are located in the United States and Japan.
"The expansion of 7-Eleven indicates the growth potential for convenience worldwide," said 7-Eleven president and CEO Joe DePinto. The company is exploring opportunities both in the United States and new territories abroad, he added.
Dallas-based 7-Eleven worldwide generated total sales of more than $44 billion worldwide.
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