DALLAS -- The deadline to apply for 7-Eleven Inc.'s Zero Franchise Fee Initiative is approaching. Between now and June 30, 7-Eleven will waive the franchise fee on select U.S. 7-Eleven convenience stores available for franchise, a savings of up to $80,000.
Approximately 250 eligible stores are located across the country; 67 stores have been franchised or are in the approval process.
Areas where specific Zero Franchise Fee stores are available include Charlotte, N.C., Dallas/Fort Worth, Manhattan, Baltimore, Richmond, Va., Portland, Ore., Orlando and Jacksonville, Fla. These stores typically have lower sales volume compared to the national average. The franchising process can take anywhere from five to seven months.
Click here to view the full list of available stores.
“We have had great response from aspiring entrepreneurs who saw a chance to go into business for themselves without the upfront expense of the one-time franchise fee,” said Greg Franks, vice president of franchising systems. “The Zero Franchise Fee initiative offers the new owner a chance to build a strong customer base and business, while backed by our proprietary systems, processes and ongoing support.
He added, “This limited-time offering presents a great opportunity for individuals to franchise their own business with a major franchise brand, but the clock is ticking.”
Franks said 7-Eleven has added 80 more stores since the Zero Franchise Fee program started in mid-February.
“We reviewed our store inventory and, based on candidate interest and initial demand, identified additional stores that we thought would be a good fit for the program,” he said.
Over the last four years, 7-Eleven has added more than 1,300 units in the U.S. Now that a 7-Eleven customer base has been established at these locations, the company is looking to transition these stores from company to franchise operations.
The convenience-store retailer is offering these stores to prospective, qualified franchisees as well as existing 7-Eleven franchisees who want to grow their retail business by adding stores. Prospective franchisees for these Zero Franchise Fee stores will undergo the standard 7-Eleven franchise approval process.
Basic 7-Eleven franchisee qualifications include being 21 years or older and a permanent U.S. resident, and having excellent credit and $50,000 in liquid assets. Prospective franchise owners will still be responsible for the costs of licensing, permits and the initial down-payment on inventory, totaling approximately $30,000.
Recognized by numerous business publications as among best franchise opportunities in the U.S. and most recently among the top 20 most valuable global brands, 7-Eleven offers its franchise-owners the strength of its world-renowned brand and a turnkey operation. After extensive training, 7-Eleven franchisees open their doors with a fully-equipped and stocked store with intuitive retail technology, merchandising and advertising support, high-quality national and private-brand products, and some of the world's most recognizable brands like Slurpee and Big Gulp drinks.
Because the stores qualifying as Zero Franchise Fee opportunities are considered low volume, they may qualify for additional, limited-time financial support.
Dallas-based 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses nearly 10,500 7-Eleven convenience stores in North America. Globally, there are more than 56,000 7-Eleven c-stores in 16 countries. During 2013, 7-Eleven c-stores generated total worldwide sales close to $84.5 billion.
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