7-Eleven(R) Rolls Out Red Carpet for 100th Store to Join Company's Proven Business Conversion Program

7-Eleven's Franchise System Unlocks World of Opportunity for Queens Village, N.Y., Store


QUEENS VILLAGE, NY--(Marketwire - March 25, 2009) - 7-Eleven, Inc. is rolling out the red carpet for the 100th independent U.S. retail store to join the 7-Eleven® franchise with a grand opening celebration at the Queens Village store on Friday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the store's transformation.

The 3,800-square-foot Queens Village store at 219-17 Hillside Ave. is owned by Piyush "Peter" Patel along with his brother and uncle. Patel, a licensed pharmacist whose family owns several other retail establishments in New York and Connecticut, was attracted to 7-Eleven's proven approach to convenience store operations.

New York business, community and political leaders, together with 7-Eleven management will be at the store to recognize the 100th Business Conversion Program (BCP) store milestone with Hot 97 FM supplying the sound-track to keep the celebration in the hip-hop and R&B groove. Family entertainment and complimentary food and beverage sampling will be part of the event.

"7-Eleven has made a significant investment in my store to provide the products, services and image that today's convenience customer expects and which directly impacts my store's performance," said Piyush (Peter) Patel. "We recently converted our J.D. Foods business to 7-Eleven and, despite the traditional slow winter months, we are already experiencing 30 to 35% higher sales volume."

"Unlike other convenience store franchises, 7-Eleven is a true partner with our entrepreneurs and we provide a proven system of operation that includes our expert merchandising assistance, retail information system, infrastructure of daily delivery of fresh foods and bakery goods, store support and ongoing business advisory service provided by our field management team," said Jeff Schenck, 7-Eleven's senior vice president for national franchise and real estate.

"High-quality products, low pricing and beautiful and clean stores are what gives the 7-Eleven stores an edge over the corner convenience store," said Paul Kandhari, BCP franchise owner of a 3,500-square-foot lower Manhattan 7-Eleven store at 140 Church St., who opened his store in July 2008. "7-Eleven's daily-delivery fresh foods program is very popular at our store, and we have seen a substantial increase in revenue since becoming part of the 7-Eleven family."

"We welcome 7-Eleven to Queens Village and look to the company as a good neighbor who is investing in our community," said Barbara M. Clark, assemblywoman for the 33rd Assembly District in Queens Village.

Ranked #1 among top franchise opportunities by several trade publications, 7-Eleven offers its Business Conversion Program as an alternative franchising model that unlocks the opportunity to convert existing, independent convenience-type stores to the 7-Eleven® brand. The company licenses its proprietary retail business system while maintaining all of the business standards and services of its traditional franchise system.

Among services and assets 7-Eleven provides is the installation of new equipment and fixtures to brand the store and meet franchise trademark standards including counters, gondola system, Slurpee® and Big Gulp® beverage machines, roller grill, fresh foods, bakery and ice cream novelty cases, ATM and money order machines, point-of-sale cash registers, back-room computer as well as electrical and plumbing upgrades.

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses approximately 7,800 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 35,600 stores in 17 countries. During 2008, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $53.7 billion. For 15 consecutive years, 7-Eleven has been listed among Hispanic Magazine's Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S., and is expanding through organic growth, acquisitions, and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Margaret Chabris 7-Eleven, Inc. 972-828-7285 Nancy Tamosaitis Vorticom Public Relations 212-532-2208