7-Eleven could have pioneered the comfort retailer idea within the U.S., however its lackluster status within the nation is forcing a serious transformation throughout its greater than 12,000 shops there.
Nearly 70% of 7-Eleven mum or dad firm Seven & i’s whole income comes from North America, and the U.S. makes up nearly all of that. Even so, sluggish efficiency has made the Japan-based firm rethink its shops within the U.S.
“The U.S. side remains a huge question mark,” stated Lorraine Tan, director of fairness analysis for Asia at Morningstar. “Revenue-wise, it’s a huge contributor. But profit-wise it’s not. “
In its full fiscal yr 2024, Seven & i’s web revenue in North America dropped about 17%, and it closed 444 underperforming shops. Same-store gross sales and year-over-year traffic had been each down in its first quarter 2025.
“They were just very focused on expansion”, stated Neil Saunders, managing director at knowledge analytics firm Global Data’s retail and shopper division. “What doesn’t always happen is that you don’t evolve the store concept and format in a way that’s suited to changing consumer needs. And I think 7-Eleven fell into that trap.”
Seven & i modified up its management with a brand new CEO, Stephen Dacus, in March 2025. Dacus introduced in August that the corporate wanted to make pressing adjustments and that “long-term success can breed a certain complacency in the business.”
“This is our opportunity to redefine and reinvent ourselves,” stated Dacus.
A serious a part of the plan is revamping the food enterprise in North America. That contains including more healthy choices for its ready-to-eat meals and introducing some fan favorites to the U.S. market, just like the egg-salad sandwiches present in its Japanese areas.
The firm can also be including extra of its proprietary eating places to present areas, like its Laredo Taco Company — which it inherited from its acquisition of Stripes — and southern-inspired hen chain Raise the Roost. It’s planning on opening 1,300 food-focused “new large format stores” by 2030.
The firm noted the areas it has already revamped ship 45% increased gross sales per retailer.
Restaurants can carry extra visitors to 7-Eleven shops, however there are further prices.
“I have mixed views on the restaurant side,” stated Tan.
These updates are available in preparation for a possible IPO of the 7-Eleven North America comfort retailer enterprise in 2026. Seven & i is planning to spin off the enterprise however keep on as a majority shareholder.
It can also be dealing with the fallout of a failed $47 billion takeover attempt by rival, and No. 2 participant, Alimentation Couche-Tard.