7-Eleven to Close Hundreds of Stores by 2026 Amid Strategic Shift to Food Focus
The convenience store giant plans to shutter underperforming locations and convert others as it prioritizes higher-quality food offerings and updated store formats.
7-Eleven is preparing to close hundreds of its locations by February 2026 as part of a significant restructuring effort, according to its parent company, Seven & i Holdings. The company announced during a recent fiscal first-quarter earnings presentation that it plans to close 645 convenience stores by February 28, 2027, while simultaneously opening more than 200 new locations within the same timeframe.
Of the planned closures, 200 stores are being shut down due to underperformance. An additional 350 locations will be converted from company-owned stores to independent operators, a shift described as a move to wholesale sites. The remaining 95 closures are attributed to other reasons, including contractual or franchise terminations.
Strategic Pivot to Food Offerings
The primary driver behind this large-scale closure and restructuring is 7-Eleven's strategic pivot towards a greater emphasis on food. While the chain is widely recognized for its gasoline sales and signature Slurpee beverages, the company is investing in higher-quality food options to attract and retain customers. Seven & i Holdings stated in its earnings presentation that it has "continued to invest in fresh food, store modernization and digital capabilities to support long-term growth" globally.
This focus on food appears to be yielding positive results. 7-Eleven President Stan Reynolds noted in the company's fiscal Q4 earnings call that these "food-forward stores are resonating with our customers and driving [average sales per store day] about 18% higher than our system average."
Modernization and Digital Expansion
In line with its food-centric strategy, 7-Eleven aims to remodel over 7,000 North American locations. These renovations include upgrading equipment and giving stores a fresh aesthetic, building upon the "Evolution" store designs introduced in 2019. The newer "New Standard" concept, rolled out in 2024, emphasizes larger store formats with enhanced kitchen spaces to support a broader food menu, in-store dining, and delivery services.
The company has also been expanding its digital presence, notably through its 7NOW delivery program, launched in 2018. This on-demand service offers delivery of over 3,000 convenience items, including hot food, drinks, groceries, and alcohol, typically within 30 minutes. The program has been further enhanced with benefits like a Gold Pass Subscription service, which provides perks such as free drinks and free delivery.
Experts suggest that this aggressive restructuring reflects a necessary adaptation to evolving consumer habits. According to Hope Neiman, CMO of Tillster, the move signals a need to "pivot the format to match how consumers use convenience stores today." While the company has experienced net store closures for five consecutive years, this does not necessarily indicate weakening demand but rather a strategic redirection of its physical footprint.