HONOLULU -- As 7-Eleven Hawaii's top executive, Greg Hanna is guiding the convenience store chain through aggressive growth in the Islands. The Maryland native said the expansion plan is on track. President and CEO Hanna talked recently with Pacific Business News about the company's plans to double the number of stores to 100 and employees to 1,600 in Hawaii over the next several years.
PBN: Where is 7-Eleven Hawaii at in its aggressive expansion strategy?
Hanna: "The focus for 7-Eleven over the past two years has been on strengthening infrastructure that can support a larger store base. The expansion plan is on track and we will open our 61st store [this] month.
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I am confident that 7-Eleven Hawaii will not only reach but exceed the target of 100 stores. The timeline may change, but our commitment to growth and customer satisfaction will not. The biggest challenge that we face is finding convenient locations that are customer friendly. We could open many stores quickly as some companies do, but it has to make sense from a business and customer perspective."
PBN: 7-Eleven Hawaii is such a mainstay in the state with its Spam musubi and the Slurpee. Where do you see 7-Eleven Hawaii in the future and what new strategies are in place to keep its brand's momentum moving ahead?
Hanna: "7-Eleven Hawaii wants to be a 'neighborhood store' for every customer, having what they want, when they want it. We will focus on introducing new items, whether it's a new tasty bento or the latest drink craze. We will visit the Mainland and foreign countries looking for innovative product concepts and ideas to import back to Hawaii. Most importantly, we will expand our business to bring our brand of convenience to more neighborhoods throughout the state of Hawaii."
Hanna has been with the company since 2009, first as chief financial officer and then as chief operating officer. He was named president and CEO in September 2010.
Employing almost 900 people on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, Seven-Eleven Hawaii Inc. operates 58 7-Eleven c-stores as a Hawaii corporation under Seven & I Holding Co. Ltd. of Japan, which also owns Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc.
For more on Hanna's c-store industry background, and the retailer's energy cost savings, click here to read the full Pacific Business News interview with Hanna.
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