7-Eleven Inc.

7-Eleven is among the world's largest and most widely recognized and iconic retailers, both inside and outside the convenience-store channel. It operates stores primarily under the 7-Eleven banner and some branded Stripes. A large majority of 7-Eleven's c-stores are operated by franchisees, while the corporate company owns the properties. The company's Slurpees, Big Gulp soft drinks and fresh-made coffees have helped 7-Eleven grow in North America and in several countries overseas.

The Irving, Texas-based chain grew its U.S. store count by 155 sites in 2020. And it's largest acquisition ever is pending as CSP's Top 202 goes to press: The company in August 2020 announced it would acquire the Speedway c-store chain (No. 3 on the Top 202) from Marathon Petroleum for $21 billion. Originally slated to close by the end of 2020, the 3,854-unit transaction faced Federal Trade Commission review and was expected to close in second-quarter 2021. In April, 7-Eleven announced the sale of 106 stores to CrossAmerica Partners, Allentown, Pa., as part of the divestiture process to acquire Speedway. The company has set a goal of growing to 20,000 U.S. store sites by 2027.

In the meantime, 7-Eleven has opened eight Evolution Stores, stores serve as real-time experiential testing grounds where customers can try the retailer's latest innovations. It established two new in-store restaurant concepts called Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits and Parlor Pizza.

And in April, 7-Eleven launched "Take it to Eleven," a new brand campaign developed with creative and media agency 360i. Harmony Korine, the creative force behind "Kids," "Spring Breakers" and Gucci collaborations, directed the campaign.

In four spots, the chain features a group of all-female low-rider enthusiasts promoting the Big Gulp; a skater promoting the Slurpee; a Japanese rockabilly group promoting coffee; and a "pop punk" garage band touting delivery. For benchmarking purposes, store counts are as of Jan. 1, 2021.