# 7-Eleven closing 400 stores **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [October 13, 2024, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714 "2024-10-13T14:28:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/1 "2024-10-13T14:28:24Z")
7-Eleven has been my favorite location for snacks and drinks since childhood. They used to sell ICEE. The polar bear signs were always a welcoming sight on a hot summer day. 7-Eleven always had the foot long bubble gum sticks and giant candy bars. I would buy a Snickers or Milky Way. I could usually find a 7-Eleven in any small town. Sometimes they were the only convenience store in towns with less than a 1000 people. Later as an adult I also buy milk and bread at 7-Eleven. Still buy snacks and candy. I can’t drink Slurpees anymore. Ice headaches hurt too much. I hope their business struggles arw temporary. I’d hate to lose these stores. I remember buying ICEE during my childhood in the late 1960’s. The blue and red cups with the polar bear. Slurpee came later in my Junior high and high school years. Link [https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/11/business/7-eleven-closures/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/11/business/7-eleven-closures/index.html) Link [The Real Difference Between Slurpees And ICEEs](https://www.mashed.com/218722/the-real-difference-between-slurpees-and-icees/) > [@](#): > > The ICEE maker made its way to select convenience stores by the early 1960s, and in 1965, 7-Eleven licensed the technology for its own chain. However, the 7-Eleven version needed a new name, and the company’s ad director landed on Slurpee, inspired by the sound it makes when sipping. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/2 "2024-10-13T14:30:58Z")
The one 7-Eleven I saw closing here in Chicago is literally across the street and a block up from another 7-Eleven, so I’m not surprised one of them eventually had to go. Still a zillion locations to choose from. They have over 13,000 in North America, according to that article. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/3 "2024-10-13T14:34:22Z")
The 7-Eleven stores in my hometown are still open. They’ve remodeled but have been in the same location since the 1960’s. I associate them with small towns because that’s where I live. But they have many more locations in the cities. 13,000 is a lot. It’s a stable business model. People always need milk, soda, bread, snacks, and gas. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/4 "2024-10-13T14:59:02Z")
A total of 400 stores is nothing to be overly concerned about, most likely just realigning to become more profitiable here is the states. Globally, 7-11 is the the largest quick shop market in the world with over 84,000 locations. [In Japan you can get really decent sushi at 7-11](https://www.sej.co.jp/). You can oder it freshly made in many stores during lunch, I ate lunch there everyday and so did the Japanese. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/5 "2024-10-13T15:06:47Z")
We’ve always had 7-Elevens around but my main impression of them is from them buying out the White Hen chain of convenience stores, so I guess just “Big Business”. Turns out they’re owned by a Japanese company so I guess I was right. The one nearest me is across the street from a Dollar General so, if I needed a loaf of bread, cat food or some sour cream and didn’t want to drive to the real grocery store, the only reason I’d go into the 7-Eleven is if it was 2am. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/6 "2024-10-13T15:12:36Z")
When I moved to Chicago in the late '80s, there were very few 7-Elevens here; the dominant convenience store chain was the local White Hen Pantry. White Hen was bought by a 7-Eleven franchisee in 2006, and their stores gradually were rebranded as 7-Elevens. > [@pulykamell](#): > > The one 7-Eleven I saw closing here in Chicago is literally across the street and a block up from another 7-Eleven, so I’m not surprised one of them eventually had to go. In the Chicago Loop alone, according to their store finder, they have like ten stores. Definitely a bit of oversaturation. As I work in the Loop, I’ve also noticed that, prior to COVID, there were a ton of CVS and Walgreens in the area, too, and many of those have closed, as well. The CNN article in the OP cites “lower foot traffic,” and I would not be surprised if that’s part of the issue in cities, where the 7-Elevens (and the drug stores) are largely there for people who work in the central business district, and where office occupancy and “return to office” still lags behind where it was five years ago. Also, unlike the ones in small towns, urban 7-Elevens (and urban convenience stores, in general) typically aren’t also gas stations. They largely serve as outlets for junk food, energy drinks, soda, beer, and smoking products. > [@aceplace57](#): > > I associate them with small towns because that’s where I live. IME, traveling around the Midwest, there’s usually some form of a convenience store in a small town that’s big enough to support one, but it’s typically some other chain: Kwik Trip in Wisconsin, Casey’s General Store in a lot of areas, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/7 "2024-10-13T15:16:00Z")
This is a very small number of stores which are presumably relatively unprofitable. 7-11 is doing well enough that Canadian company Couche-Tard tried to buy the company from its Japanese owners for $37 billion (USD), was rebuffed, and has increased their offer to $47 billion (7 trillion ¥). This is probably a reaction to that. [https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/investing/2024/10/10/seven-i-will-split-into-two-to-fend-off-couche-tard-takeover/](https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/investing/2024/10/10/seven-i-will-split-into-two-to-fend-off-couche-tard-takeover/) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/8 "2024-10-13T15:23:59Z")
I can’t vouch for its accuracy, but this site indicates that 20% of 7-Eleven’s stores in the U.S. are in California, and nearly half are concentrated in three states (California, Texas, and Florida). > **[Number of 7-Eleven Stores in the USA - 2024 | LocationsCloud](https://www.locationscloud.com/intelligence-reports/7-eleven-usa/)** > > Our Statisticians have Analyzed the Number of 7-Eleven Stores locations in the United States and found there are 9,492 across all 38 states and territories. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/9 "2024-10-13T15:31:10Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > The one 7-Eleven I saw closing here in Chicago is literally across the street and a block up from another 7-Eleven, so I’m not surprised one of them eventually had to go. Back in 1995, when DH and I were passing through Las Vegas, there was an intersection with 7-Elevens on three of the four corners. Wonder how long that lasted? ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/10 "2024-10-13T15:36:09Z")
7-Eleven has better fast food than all generic fast food places. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/11 "2024-10-13T15:36:09Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > but it’s typically some other chain: Kwik Trip in Wisconsin, Casey’s General Store in a lot of areas, etc. Both of which are better than 7-Eleven, and then you can include places like Sheetz or Wawa in there, too. Casey’s is okay, but I love me a good Kwik-Trip. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/12 "2024-10-13T15:36:34Z")
You must have better experiences with 7-Elevens than I do. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/13 "2024-10-13T15:38:52Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > 7-Eleven has better fast food than all generic fast food places. > [@pulykamell](#): > > You must have better experiences with 7-Elevens than I do. Indeed. Aside from the Big Bite, 7-Eleven’s food is not good. And when Stop & Go was around, I much preferred their hot dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/14 "2024-10-13T15:39:08Z")
> [@Seanette](#): > > there was an intersection with 7-Elevens on three of the four corners. Wonder how long that lasted? Until Starbucks could replace two of the three. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/15 "2024-10-13T15:40:25Z")
(snerk) Probably. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/16 "2024-10-13T15:40:33Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Indeed. Aside from the Big Bite, 7-Eleven’s food is not good. I don’t even like the big bite, because they have the bahama mama sausages right next to them which are far superior. As well as cheesy bread and mini tacos. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/17 "2024-10-13T15:41:35Z")
> [@scabpicker](#): > > Aside from the Big Bite, 7-Eleven’s food is not good. I prefer the Cheeseburger Bite myself (I just prefer burger-type items to hot dogs), and some of the taquitos are pretty decent. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/18 "2024-10-13T15:51:34Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Link [The Real Difference Between Slurpees And ICEEs](https://www.mashed.com/218722/the-real-difference-between-slurpees-and-icees/) > > > [@](#): > > > > The ICEE maker made its way to select convenience stores by the early 1960s, and in 1965, 7-Eleven licensed the technology for its own chain. However, the 7-Eleven version needed a new name, and the company’s ad director landed on Slurpee, inspired by the sound it makes when sipping. And Sheldon is proven to be full of shit once again. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Mj6_acRIuJ8/hqdefault.jpg "The Big Bang Theory ICEE at the Movies") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mj6_acRIuJ8) ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/19 "2024-10-13T15:54:31Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Casey’s General Store in a lot of areas IIRC, the last 7-Eleven around here (central Kansas) closed several years ago. Now, there is a Casey’s in every small town, and there are multiple locations in larger cities. ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714/20 "2024-10-13T15:55:35Z")
The 7-Eleven in my area is next door – literally next door, they share a fence – to another convinience store. The Other Store also has a gas station that usually runs a few dozen cents cheaper per gallon than other stations in town so is always busy. Despite being next to each other the 7-Eleven is more difficult to pull into and and has a poorly designed parking lot, so I won’t be surprised if it’s on the chopping block. I’ll also not be surprised if it survives. I hope it survives simply because I know one of the workes there and I don’t want to see him lose his job. During the lockdown stage of Covid 7-Eleven was the only place that I noticed was regulalrly stocked with toilet paper. I guess people didn’t think to look for it at convinience stores? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/7-eleven-closing-400-stores/1008714.md?page=2)