Convenience stores are the new fast-food spots. They’re still pretty cheap for hot food and grab-and-go meals, while a drive-thru burger will cost you $7 now. That seems like the prime market for a chain like 7-Eleven, but it’s not doing so hot: The iconic convenience store just announced that it’ll be closing hundreds of locations. Here’s the scoop on Slurpee availability.
Why Is 7-Eleven Closing Stores?
In its latest earnings report, Seven & i Holdings — the parent company of 7-Eleven in the U.S. and around the world — revealed that it is planning to close 645 North American locations. They would be closing during the current fiscal year, which for 7-Eleven runs from March 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. In total, there are about 13,000 7-Eleven stores in the U.S. and Canada.
Though the company has not been explicit about the reasons for the closures, there are probably a number of factors. The company hopes to IPO in 2027, so this is a good time to cut underperforming stores. The chain also wants to focus more on its food business here in the U.S., something that it’s already known for in Asia. Closing smaller stores may allow for more food-focused stores to open in the future.
And, of course, everyone’s wallets are tightening and spending is down. “In North America, although the economy remained robust, personal consumption also began to soften, particularly among low-income households, as inflation continued to weigh on spending,” the company said in a report.
Which 7-Eleven Stores Are Closing?
Unfortunately, we don’t know which 7-Eleven stores will be closing. We do know that the 645 locations on the chopping block are supposed to close before March 2027.
This will be the fifth year in a row that 7-Eleven has closed more stores than it has opened, marking a pretty steep drop in locations in the U.S. According to the report, the company also plans to open 205 new locations during the same time period. Chances are, those will be more focused on the food side of the business.
On social media, no one seems to be very surprised by this news.
“Their stores are destitute, food is bad, filthy interior, no atmosphere… but they all universally feel terrible,” said one particularly opinionated commenter in a Reddit thread about the closures. “[It] needs to reinvent itself to be more in line with something like Wawa or Sheetz, where you want to go there for food. You don’t need the walkable cities to get that Japanese 7-Eleven feel; you just need it to be better than a literal dumpster.”
Are you a 7-Eleven fan? Share your thoughts about the closings in the comments.
