UPDATE: 7-Eleven Inc. named Sandra Bivins Owsley of Jacksonville, Fla., as the winner of the W.E. Take Lead contest. She will receive a waiver for her franchise fee, valued at up to $190,000, to any 7‑Eleven c-store available for franchise ownership in the continental United States.
IRVING, Texas -- In conjunction with National Women's Month, 7-Eleven Inc. will again host its WE Take the Lead Women's Franchise Giveaway Contest, targeted exclusively to women entrepreneurs. This is the second year 7-Eleven has focused the franchise giveaway on women.
7-Eleven has opened the contest to all eligible women who are interested in becoming an independent business owner with the convenience retailer. One finalist will be awarded an initial franchise fee-free 7-Eleven franchise, for an initial franchise fee value of up to $190,000.
7-Eleven will also make a donation to the winner’s charity of choice that aligns with the 7-Eleven Project A-Game grant program, which funds youth education, fitness, safety and hunger relief programs.
The multiphase contest includes submitting a detailed franchise application, meeting company franchising qualifications, a preliminary interview, a video submission, an in-store hands-on experience and a final one-on-one interview with 7-Eleven senior leadership for the top finalists. All of this will occur over an eight-month period.
"Last year we had such an incredible response, and we are excited to open the contest again to women who are interested in joining the 7-Eleven team," said Dan Soper, 7-Eleven vice president of operations support. "7-Eleven encourages women entrepreneurship everywhere, especially in the neighborhoods in which we operate."
The winner can choose any of the company's corporate-operated 7-Eleven convenience stores available for franchising in the continental United States at the contest's end. Interested women can enter online at Franchise.7-eleven.com/franchise/we-take-the-lead now through 11:59 p.m. CDT on May 7. The winner will be announced in October.
To qualify, an entrant must be at least 21; a legal U.S. resident; have sufficient financial resources; be able to move, at their own expense, to an area with 7-Eleven c-stores available for franchising; have excellent credit and at least three years of leadership, retail or restaurant experience; and meet 7-Eleven's new franchisee qualifications. Contestants will go through the same qualification process as all 7-Eleven franchise applicants including, but not limited to, credit evaluation, background check, a leadership test, business plan development, budget and store location preferences.
2018 marks the 54th year of franchising for the chain. Franchisees operate almost 90% of the 7-Eleven stores across the United States.
Based in Irving, Texas, 7‑Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 65,000 c-stores in 18 countries, including 11,600 in North America. It ranked No. 1 in CSP's 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains in the United States.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.