MIAMI -- 7-Eleven, Inc. said thatfor the first timeit plans to convert approximately 100 company-operated 7-Eleven stores in South Florida into franchised operations, offering new business opportunities to Floridians and other U.S. residents.
The change affects 7-Eleven stores in the Dade, Broward and West Palm Beach counties, the company said in a statement. Existing 7-Eleven store managers were the first to be invited to apply for a 7-Eleven franchise, and now the franchise opportunity is open to the public.
We are offering [image-nocss] the opportunity for people in the community to run their own business using a proven, successful system along with the support of the world's largest convenience retailer, said Ivy Nunez, 7-Eleven's franchise sales manager for southern Florida.
Two South Florida women are the first Florida store managers to become franchise owners under the new plan: Evelyn Lortie in Port St. Lucie and Afsana Lina Baig in Fort Lauderdale each have gone through 7-Eleven's selection and training program for new franchisees.
I should be looking to retire, said Evelyn Lortie, who is 58. But instead I'm making a new start.
For the past two years, Lortie has managed the Port St. Lucie 7-Eleven store that has now become her franchise. She likes the location and the customers, who call her huge coffee bar The Enterprisea reference to the starship in TV's Star Trek.
It's very exciting and never boring, said Lortie, who moved to Florida from New Hampshire in 2000. I love getting to know my customers and getting to know the neighborhood. We have a family-type setting.
Lortie believes that individualized customer service promotes loyalty. If they want something, and I don't have it, they know I'll try to get it for them. That take-charge attitude is one of the reasons 7-Eleven believes Lortie will continue her success, the company said.
7-Eleven provides a proven business opportunity for people around the world, and one that is attainable, said Dallas-based 7-Eleven's vice president for Florida operations, Sid Brockman. As the company focuses on moving more decision-making to the stores, our franchise model gives both the local business owner and our company the opportunity for the greatest success. Franchisees truly have a vested interest in knowing their customers and communities. We believe they are in the best position to understand and respond to their local retail needs, which in turn, builds customer loyalty and sales.
And that describes the business philosophy of Afsana Lina Baig, who will become the franchisee of a Fort Lauderdale store. It is part of the American dream for Baig, who was born in Bangladesh and came to America in 1998. Her uncle, a manager in another southern Florida 7-Eleven, recommended the company to her. Baig enjoyed the work and continued with the job, making her the first female member of her traditional family to have a career. It makes me feel good to have a sense of independence and self-sufficiency, she said.
Her husband, who is a doctor, and their two sons are very supportive of her decision. As a business owner, I want to provide my employees the same support and career growth opportunities they received as 7-Eleven employees, Baig said. One day, they might want to become franchise owners, too.
7-Eleven provides the land, building, equipment and a turnkey operation for its franchisees. The average upfront, total investment for a 7-Eleven franchise in Florida is about $180,000, based on the store's sales history, which includes the store's opening inventory, supplies, business licenses, permits, bonds, cash register fund and the franchise fee, although the amount may vary significantly depending on the location, said the company.
7-Eleven then shares in the operation's gross profits. Unlike many other franchise companies that take a percent of total sales, 7-Eleven is focused on helping the franchisee be successful because each shares in the profits.
Approximately 3,650 of 7-Eleven Inc.'s almost 5,400 U.S. stores are now franchised.
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