7-Eleven Inc.

Founded: 1927 Franchising since: 1964
7-Eleven's origins date back to 1927, when an employee of the Southland Ice Company in Dallas, Texas, began selling milk, bread and eggs in addition to the ice blocks. That employee, Joe C. Thompson, eventually bought the Southland Ice Company, turned it into the Southland Corporation, and began opening convenience stores. The first stores went by the name Tote'm, since customers "toted" away their purchases, but in 1946, when the stores' hours were extended--from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.--they got a new name.

Although 7-Eleven stores are now open 24 hours a day, the name stuck. Today, 7-Eleven Inc. has over 30,000 stores across the U.S. and around the world.

One Arts Plaza, 1722 Routh St., #1000 Dallas, TX 75201

Phone: (800)255-0711

Franchisor has 1000 employee(s); 18 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2008	5,622	0	27,079	1,117
2007	5,580	0	26,680	1,038
2006	3,998	0	23,163	2,304
2005	3,899	0	21,240	2,377

Total investment: Varies Franchise fee: Varies

Ongoing royalty fee: Varies Term of agreement: 15 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	No	No
Inventory	Yes	No
Accounts Receivable	Yes	No
Payroll	Yes	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: Varies
Business Experience:

• General business experience
• Retail experience, customer service skills

Operations

• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 7 - 10
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• At local training centers : 6 weeks

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• National media
• Regional advertising

Other marketing support

• In-house marketing team

Franchise 500® rank:
#30 (2009); #1 (2008); #4 (2007); #9 (2006); #8 (2005);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2008; 2007; 2006; 2005;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#73 (2009); #2 (2008); #38 (2007); #54 (2006); #55 (2005);