Nobody in corporate is saying “Oh, thank Heaven” right now. The good folks at 7-ELEVEN are feeling the crunch that the whole world is feeling. And when big chain companies feel the crunch, they shut down stores. They conglomerate. They make drastic changes, hoping to save profits. And that is exactly what 7-ELEVEN is about to do this year.
The convenience store giant will close more than 600 stores this year as it moves to larger wholesale locations. Oddly, the chain, which announced 1,300 new locations by 2030 last year, plans 200 new locations in the same period that they close 600+. 7-ELEVEN will open and close these locations during fiscal year 2026. That spans from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027.
It has been confirmed that it will close 645 convenience stores, which includes its transition to “wholesale fuel stores”. The new store format will feature a larger product assortment and expanded food and beverage offerings. 7-ELEVEN has not confirmed how many of the new stores will boast the new store format.
7-ELEVEN President Stan Reynolds said, “These food-forward stores are resonating with our customers and driving [average sales per store day] about 18% higher than our system average. We’ll continue learning from these stores and refine our new store standard to meet the needs of consumers both now and in the future.”
The company has been busy in recent years, opening and closing hundreds of stores, as this is not the first time, nor will it probably be the last time either.
According to statistics online, 7-Eleven will open 122 stores and close 373 this year. Next year, the chain is projected to open 205 and close 645.
Does this news make you sad? Do you wonder now where you will get your Cherry Coke Slurpee with your chicken taquito “floater”? Is 7-ELEVEN where you pick up a whole pizza for six bucks? Do you dare get a hot dog from there? Don’t worry so much. If they close the one closest to you, there is a good chance that the next closest one is still within five miles away. You’re gonna be fine.
