What to Expect as 7-Eleven U.S. Makes Japanese-Inspired Changes [Video]

7-Eleven in Japan is known for high-quality fresh food, while its American counterpart is more typically associated with gas stations, Slurpees, hot dogs and pizza. But later this year, the world’s largest convenience store chain, with more than 13,000 locations in North America and over 83,000 worldwide, plans to introduce Japanese-inspired menu offerings in the U.S.

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7-Eleven, which ranked #25 in the 2024 Franchise 500 Ranking, has been owned by Japan’s Seven & I Holdings since 2005. The franchise’s Japanese 7-Eleven stores excel with data-driven operations, offering fresh food tailored to local tastes. This differs from U.S. stores, which have historically made most of their money on gas and cigarette sales — revenues that are declining, per the Wall Street Journal.

Now, the focus is shifting more towards food: The company’s goal is …