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1. How many 7-Eleven stores are closing, and where?
7-Eleven’s North American operator plans to close 645 stores during its 2026 fiscal year, far exceeding the 205 locations it expects to open in that same period. The company has not specified which locations will be affected, though some closures will involve converting stores to wholesale fuel operations.
2. Why is 7-Eleven closing so many locations?
The closures reflect a combination of long-running store performance issues and broader consumer pressures. Inflation has weighed heavily on spending — particularly among low-income households — and soaring gas prices tied to the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran have further strained the economic environment that convenience stores depend on.
3. How significant are these closures for the overall company?
The cuts are largely a North American story. Seven & i Holdings, 7-Eleven’s Japan-based parent, operates over 86,000 stores across 19 countries, and its subsidiaries outside North America — including Seven-Eleven Japan — are actually opening more stores than they’re closing. Still, Seven & i projects overall revenue will fall 9.4% this fiscal year, to roughly $59.5 billion.
4. Who is leading 7-Eleven through this period of change?
Stephen Hayes Dacus took over as CEO of Seven & i last spring. The closures come alongside a broader transformation plan the company outlined last year, which includes investing in fresh food offerings and expanding its “7NOW” delivery service.
5. Has 7-Eleven done this before?
Yes. The company has a history of closing underperforming locations, and these latest cuts follow that established pattern. What makes the current wave notable is its scale — 645 planned closures in a single fiscal year — and the difficult economic backdrop driving the decision.
READ MORE: 7-Eleven expects to close hundreds of its stores in North America this year
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