7-Eleven to Roll Out 500 New Food-Centric Stores Across the U.S. by 2027
7-Eleven is set to open 500 “food-forward” stores across the United States by 2027, bringing an expanded selection of prepared foods and restaurant-style offerings to convenience store-goers. This new format, dubbed “New Standard” by the company in an investor call as reported by Restaurant Business, builds on the company’s strategic shift to integrate fresh, made-to-order meals and in-store dining options. The expansion plan follows recent news of 7-Eleven’s decision to close 444 underperforming locations, which included some Long Island stores, in response to evolving consumer trends.
The new stores will be larger, high-tech, and designed with a focus on prepared foods, including some in-store eateries like Laredo Taco Co., which 7-Eleven acquired as part of the Stripes convenience store chain in 2018. According to 7-Eleven CEO Joe DePinto, the company is ramping up efforts to make their stores “food forward” by adding grab-and-go cases, specialty beverages, and other fresh items to meet the demands of busy customers. He emphasized that this food-centric direction is a significant part of the company’s growth strategy.
“We’re projecting that at full maturity, four years, that these new standard-store sales will further increase by 30%,” DePinto said during a call with investors.
Each New Standard location will feature in-store seating, self-checkout kiosks, and digital touchpoints to facilitate a frictionless shopping experience. Some stores are also expected to have electric vehicle charging stations, part of 7-Eleven’s commitment to meet modern consumer needs.
Average daily sales for these New Standard stores have reportedly outperformed existing 7-Eleven locations by about 13% in the initial year, suggesting that the move toward fresh, on-site-prepared food has already proven profitable. After four years, 7-Eleven projects a further boost in daily sales to over $8,200 per location—a 30% increase from current performance levels.
The new format continues to reflect an industry-wide shift in convenience and grocery stores toward offering fresh food and prepared meals, especially as more consumers look for easy, high-quality food options in non-traditional dining venues. This expansion also positions 7-Eleven as a more direct competitor to quick-service restaurants.
This latest expansion plan follows a challenging period for 7-Eleven, as the company has dealt with inflationary pressures and a decline in cigarette sales. Earlier this month, the company announced plans to close hundreds of locations, citing reduced consumer demand for certain products. The closures are part of a broader restructuring effort as 7-Eleven pivots to a more food-centered approach.
Tokyo-based parent company 7 & i Holdings has been seeking ways to bolster traffic and sales in its U.S. operations. The company also faces potential acquisition interest from Alimentation Couche-Tard, which owns Circle K, one of 7-Eleven’s chief competitors. Couche-Tard’s bid, if successful, could reshape the convenience store landscape in the United States, bringing the two largest chains under one umbrella.
7-Eleven CEO Joe DePinto spoke about the New Standard stores during a recent investor call, stating, “We plan to open 125 of these new stores in 2025, and we are ramping up and growing our pipeline with plans to open over 500 of these new stores by 2027.” He highlighted the company’s dedication to “expanding our assortment of hot food, which our customers seek, with grab-and-go cases, specialty beverages, self-serve roller grills, and bake in-store food offerings.”
