"Last year, 7-Eleven opened more than 2,500 7-Eleven stores globally, or about one new store every 3-1/2 hours," president and CEO Joe DePinto said. "The growth potential is tremendous, both domestically and internationally, [image-nocss] as we operate in only 16 countries today. We are continuing to aggressively pursue expansion across the chain."
He added, "Around the world, 7-Eleven is a franchise business with approximately 75% of stores franchised by independent business operators running local neighborhood stores. These local stores can take advantage of scale and support under the 7-Eleven brand. As our store count rises, so, too, do the franchising opportunities for qualified businessmen and women around the world to be their own boss."
Each convenience store in the United States and overseas employs approximately 10 to 11 full-time and part-time store associates, infusing dollars into the local economy. In total, the company creates more than 30,000 new jobs and business opportunities each year as a result, it said.
The retailer has 500,000 store associates around the world and global sales of $62.7 billion.
"This significant store growth is a job-stimulus package in itself," DePinto said. "When 7-Eleven opens a store, we create new jobs and business prospects in the community. This ranges from franchising, management and store staff positions to more work for local suppliers, contractors and construction crews. We also add to the local tax revenues for neighborhood schools and city services."
Not only do new 7-Eleven stores bring about new business and revenues to the cities in which they operate, the company's charitable contributions and sponsorships programs also benefit local communities, both in the United States and abroad.
To demonstrate 7-Eleven's commitment to supporting the community and being a good neighbor, DePinto presented a $40,000 donation to Big Brothers Big Sisters, a nationally known charity during the February 25 event. The recipient, which provides youth mentoring, complements 7-Eleven's charitable contribution strategy.
Some other 7-Eleven milestones:
1949: 7-Eleven was the first convenience retailer to air TV commercials.
1964: Coffee-to-go was introduced to U.S. consumers by a 7-Eleven store on Long Island, N.Y.
1966: 7-Eleven introduced the Slurpee frozen carbonated beverage.
1984: First c-store to offer ATM service.
1991: 7-Eleven was the first c-store to open third-party distribution, bakery and commissary facilities to deliver fresh foods every day of the year to its stores.
1998: 7-Eleven developed the first self-serve, multi-purpose financial kiosk.
2004: 7-Eleven was the first retailer to offer its own prepaid wireless phone program.
Click herefor more milestones.
7-Eleven moved beyond the U.S. borders in 1969 when it began opening stores in Canada, and two years later created a joint venture in Mexico. It built the first overseas 7-Eleven store in Japan in 1974.
Today, 7-Eleven has thousands of global locations through master franchisee agreements with organizations in Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Indonesia.
The following shows 7-Eleven'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. During 2009, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $58.9 billion. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the United States and is expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program.
Click herefor more on 7-Eleven's history.
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