MANILA — Hundreds of branches of 7-Eleven are set to shut down or be converted into fuel-only outlets in North America as part of a major restructuring by its parent firm.
In a financial filing, Seven & i Holdings said it will close 645 stores between March 2026 and February 2027. Some locations, however, will remain operational as gas stations after removing their convenience store sections.
The move is tied to the company’s efforts to streamline operations and prepare for a planned public offering of its North American business, now expected no earlier than 2027.
Despite the closures, expansion remains in the pipeline, with about 205 new stores set to open. These will feature larger formats and upgraded food and beverage offerings, resulting in a net reduction of around 440 outlets.
The company has yet to disclose which specific locations will be affected. The latest development marks the fifth straight year that closures have outnumbered store openings in the region.
For Filipino consumers, however, there is no immediate cause for concern.
In the Philippines, 7-Eleven is operated by Philippine Seven Corporation, a separate franchise holder. The local network continues to expand aggressively, with thousands of branches nationwide and steady growth driven by strong demand for convenience retail.
The global brand recently introduced Japanese-inspired menu items in select U.S. locations, reflecting the influence of its highly successful “konbini” model in Japan.
ia/xf
