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People are fond of anything that is convenient, anything that provides an easier and faster way of performing routine tasks. And if there is one thing that grocery stores are not, it’s convenient. Who wants to wait in a long line for a loaf of bread, bottle of soda, or candy bar? Thankfully, there is a better way. With over 30,000 stores worldwide and over 7,000 stores in the United States, 7-Eleven is a dominant force in the convenience store realm – one that can hardly be missed. Though their doors may have locks on them, 7-Eleven is never closed, helping the weary to get their snacks and beverages whenever the urge hits.
Founded in 1927, these stores, though not called 7-Eleven yet, started off quite simply as a side operation for Southland Ice Company. As well as selling their ice, Southland created a place to buy milk, eggs and bread, making up for the closed grocery stores at their ice manufacturing plant in Dallas, Texas. Customers were pleased as punch with the odd-hour offerings and soon more of the convenience stores started popping up. Called Tote’m, since customers “toted” away their goods, the stores even had totem poles in the front. In 1946, the names of the stores were changed in honor of their newly extended hours, from 7AM until 11PM - and - open seven days a week.
Today, open for a non-stop 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 7-Eleven is known for a variety of ready-to-go treats, snacks and drinks, as well as their most popular product: the Slurpee. Introduced in 1967, this partially frozen, chilly libation comes in a wide variety of flavors, often differing from location to location. Stores often only have one or two constants, namely, the Coke Slurpee and Cherry flavor, as well as the occasional in-store promotion for a new flavor that’s probably tied in with a movie or television promo deal. Following closely behind the Slurpee in notoriety is the Big Gulp, a super-sized soft drink available in 32, 44, 52 and 64-ouce sizes. If that wasn’t enough to make bladders burst on road trips, in 2005 7-Eleven came out with a 128-ounce Team Gulp. For those playing at home - that’s one full gallon of soft drink gulping madness.
Around the world, 7-Elevens offer their convenience along with a variety of other items for sale. In Hong Kong, microwaveable dim sum is available for hungry shoppers, and in Japan, shoppers can find the typical noodle-house fare in the refrigerated sections, along with sushi, microwaveable burritos and sandwiches.
Whether it was a place to get your stuff and go, or a place to laugh with friends while standing around the Slurpee machine, 7-Eleven has left an indelible mark on pop culture and on our lives. Back to the Future Part III, Pretty Woman, and Dumb and Dumber have all paid homage to the cheap and convenient goodness of 7-Elevens. Even David Letterman got in on the act with his recurring bit featuring the “president” of 7-Eleven. And according to 7-Eleven, in a four-week period, customers visit a 7-Eleven a whopping 17 times. Now that’s a lot of convenience!
