Life is funny, isn’t it? You’re born, life takes its course and, next thing you know, it takes a swing back in the opposite direction. For example, your editor was born and raised in the nondescript state of Ohio, USA. Nice enough, but a place where many wished to leave and see the world. So, I left, saw as much of the world as I could: Europe, UK, South America and, just recently, Asia.
Your editor’s better half and I just returned from a comprehensive and breathtaking tour of Japan and Korea. Words can’t convey the experience. If you’ve been, you’ll know what we mean. Ironically, and squaring the circle, we encountered something from our distant past: 7-11 convenience stores. It was something that I never thought I would see in my life again. But no. 7-11 pretty much owns Asia, and when you see how much the residents of Japan and Korea rely on the chain, you’ll never have the same impression again. One thing is for sure: your editor is a vegetarian and 7-11 saved my life. I could always count on 7-Eleven
The chain was founded in 1927 as the Southland Ice Company, operating an ice house storefront in Dallas. Then owned by Southland Corporation, the number of convenience stores expanded and were named Tote’m Stores between 1928 and 1946. Southland Corporation changed the stores’ name to 7-Eleven in 1946, reflecting expanded hours of operation (7 am to 11 pm).
Southland Corporation started franchising its stores in 1961; in 1973 Ito-Yokado, a Japanese supermarket chain, signed a franchisee agreement with Southland Corporation to develop 7-Eleven convenience stores in Japan. Operating the Japanese stores under Seven-Eleven Japan, Ito-Yokado acquired a 70% stake in Southland Corporation in 1991; as majority owner, it changed Southland Corporation’s name to 7-Eleven, Inc. that same year, then expanded to 100% ownership in November 2005, making 7-Eleven, Inc. a wholly owned subsidiary of Seven-Eleven Japan.[3][4] Ito-Yokado reorganized its collective businesses as a holding company in 2005, Seven & I Holdings, with 7-Eleven, Inc. wholly held by Seven-Eleven Japan.
7-Eleven operates, franchises and licenses roughly 85,000 stores in 20 countries and territories as of August 2024.[6] Its stores operate under its namesake brand globally, including the United States, where it also operates as Speedway nationally but mostly in the Midwest and East Coast, and as Stripes Convenience Stores within the West South Central United States. Both Speedway and Stripes operate alongside 7-Eleven’s namesake stores in several American markets. 7-Eleven also operates A-Plus locations with the name licensed from owner and fellow Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex-based Energy Transfer Partners, though most of these stores have since been rebranded as standard 7-Eleven stores.
The main topic is what the company brings to people, especially young people who may not cook. The allure of 7-Eleven in Asia—particularly in places like Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan—is a masterclass in cultural adaptation and hyper-convenience, making it a dramatically different experience from its Western counterpart. It’s often seen less as a quick stop for gas station snacks and more as a vital social and commercial infrastructure—a literal one-stop solution for daily life. And, finally, one thing that we learned is that there is no shame in eating and, indeed, enjoying “junk food.” Thanks 7 Eleven!
And, just to square the circle, we even found this while we were there.
Life is funny Have a blast. See the world. It’s calling you. Who knows what you will find?