IRVING, Texas -- Seven military veterans are competing for the opportunity to own a 7-Eleven convenience-store franchise without the expense of a franchise fee. The video competition in 7-Eleven's Operation: Take Command franchise giveaway contest for 2016 began May 9 and runs through May 22.
The retailer selected seven semifinalists from almost 1,900 applications that it received between Jan. 11 and Feb. 26. Only one qualified and talented military veteran will win a 7-Eleven store.
As part of 7-Eleven's contest to win a franchise, the seven contestants have posted their "Why I Should Win Operation: Take Command" videos on 7-Eleven's website. To view the videos and vote, go to www.VeteransFranchiseGiveaway.com. Anyone can vote and vote more than once—but only one time per day per Facebook account through May 22.
7-Eleven is asking the public to choose the video and personal story they like the best. The top three contenders will be determined by the number of "likes" their video receives. These three finalists will then have one-on-one interviews with 7-Eleven president and CEO Joe DePinto, who is a veteran.
The company will announce the winner in June.
Every video "like" will also help U.S. military veterans. For every vote cast, 7-Eleven will contribute $1, up to $50,000, to Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit organization that works with transitioning service members, veterans and spouses from military service into civilian success.
"Military veterans have proved to be some of our most successful franchisees," said Larry Hughes, 7-Eleven vice president of franchise systems. “Not surprisingly, the quality of the service men and women who have applied for a franchise fee-free 7-Eleven store in this year's Operation: Take Command contest has been nothing short of remarkable. The public has its work cut out for them in selecting who advances to the final round."
The winner will receive a waiver of the franchise fee, valued at up to $190,000, to franchise any of the company's 7-Eleven convenience stores available in the continental United States at the contest's culmination.
Alphabetically, the contestants are:
- Jean Cetoute, Richlands, N.C.
- Scott Jackson, Chicago
- Aditya Khurana, Harlingen, Texas
- Estrella Martinez, Woodbridge, Va.
- Robert Tutor, Sultan, Wash.
- Stephen Valley, Fairfax, Va.
- Randall Youmans, Fort Washington, Md.
To qualify for the contest, entrants had to be at least 21-years-old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, an honorably discharged veteran, have excellent credit and at least three years of leadership, retail or restaurant experience. Contestants went through the same qualification process as all 7-Eleven franchise applicants, including interviews, credit evaluation, a leadership test, preparing a business plan and budget.
Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. operates, franchises and licenses more than 10,700 convenience stores in the United States and Canada. Globally, it operates nearly 60,000 c-stores in 17 countries.
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