DALLAS -- In recent months, 7-Eleven, with a retail network of more than 7,000 stores in North America, has captured the attention of trade and consumer publications with a flurry of activity.
It is actively converting the White Hen Pantry brand to the 7-Eleven orange, red and green image; transitioning its chain to a nearly 100% franchised operation; and, on a lighter note, paying homage to Homer and Bart at some sites to coincide with the summer arrival of The Simpsons Movie.
For a company that less than 24 months ago gave up [image-nocss] Wall Street for off-street, the nation's oldest and best recognized convenience chain has been anything but introverted.
So, as aCSP Daily News Flashfirst reported, yesterday's news that the company has hired the venerable Darren Rebelez to help guide retail operations should come as little surprise. 7-Eleven has actively been upgrading its in-store and forecourt offer, methodically rolling out its own fuel brand, enhancing its foodservice offer and cleansing a once-cluttered store interior.
Darren is a proven talent in both operations and merchandising, and his solid leadership skills have allowed him to build strong teams and forge close relationships with suppliers and vendors across our industry, Joe DePinto, 7-Eleven's president and CEO, said in a statement. We are excited to have him join our team as he will be a valuable asset to our organization. We will benefit from his extensive convenience retailing background and experience, and I know he shares and believes in our approach to servant leadership and our vision to be the best retailer of convenience.
Rebelez, who could not be reached for comment, officially joins 7-Eleven on July 23 with the rank of senior vice president of store operations. He will assume the duties handled by John Harris, who is retiring early next year. He will report to COO Masa Asakura.
Only 41, Rebelez has built a strong reputation in the industry. Most recently, he headed franchising for ExxonMobil's On the Run retail and franchise business. He also led the company's U.S. Distributor Fuels Pricing organization and guided its U.S. Category Management unit.
Prior to that, Rebelez, like DePinto, accrued critical industry experience at Louisville, Ky.-based Thornton Oil Corp. He was vice president of merchandising, directing strategic planning, category management and marketing for the company's c-store chain. His duties included presiding over Thornton's bakery subsidiary.
According to 7-Eleven, Rebelez will spend extensive time training in stores and learning the company's systems and processes while working closely with Harris to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.
Harris has been instrumental in helping to carry out the company's new credo of servant leadershipa Japanese-influenced approach that sees headquarters' role to provide an infrastructure for franchisees to succeed, thus ensuring total corporate success.
As Harris noted in an interview late last fall with CSP Magazine, It all got messed up and muddled, he said of the nearly 50-50 mix of corporate-owned and franchised stores that was the source of frequent tension. Now, it's very clear. We're moving to 100% [franchised].
And Rebelez will be a key part in carrying out the plan.
[To learn more about 7-Eleven's strategic changes, see the January 2007 edition of CSP magazine or click here.]
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