The status of 7-Eleven as one of the preeminent convenience stores in North America could be coming into question.
The company is set to take a net loss of 440 store locations over the course of the year in the region, Bisnow reported. The hundreds of closings were revealed in a financial disclosure filed by the chain’s parent company, Seven & i Holdings.
The number of closings greatly outpaces even the net difference for the year, as 645 locations across the continent are slated to shut their doors this year. That is offset by 205 openings, as well as the conversion of some to wholesale fuel stores.
Nevertheless, it’s a drastic cut to the North American storefront. Last year, the chain saw a net reduction of 251 stores, nearly 100 more than the year prior; the net difference this year is worse than those previous two years combined.
The company’s been closing underperforming stores since before the pandemic upended brick-and-mortar retail. In New York City, more than 40 7-Eleven locations disappeared from 2019 to 2025, according to last year’s State of the Chains.
The closures also stand in contrast to every other region Seven & i Holdings operates in. The company is planning to gain more than 200 locations in Japan, 130 locations in China and 25 locations in Australia.
That being said, there will still be no shortage of 7-Eleven stores across the continent. The company ended last year with more than 13,600 retail stores. There were more than 8,100 stores with fuel stations and a growing number of wholesale fuel stations, topping out above 900.
Spending wasn’t down in North American 7-Eleven stores last year, but foot traffic was, according to consolidated financial results. Additionally, labor costs and rents rose, creating more financial burdens for the company.
There’s also the looming threat of competition. Regional chain Wawa has seen several expansion efforts launched in recent years. Texas-based Buc-ee’s is also looking to grow its following across the country.
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