Updated April 14, 2026 / 10:12 PM EDT / CBS/AP
7-Eleven plans to close 645 stores in North America during fiscal 2026, according to earnings filings published last week by parent company Seven & i Holdings Co. The company said the closures “include the conversion to wholesale fuel stores,” reflecting a shift in some locations rather than only permanent shutdowns.
Financial disclosures show 7-Eleven Inc., the North American operator based in Texas, has been expanding its wholesale fuel network in recent years, reaching more than 900 fuel sites as of December 2025. At the same time, the operator projects it will open 205 new stores in the same fiscal year, meaning openings will be outpaced by planned closures.
The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the reasons for the reductions. In recent years, 7-Eleven has cited the need to shutter underperforming stores amid slowing sales, reduced foot traffic and rising costs tied to inflation.
Globally, Seven & i reports more than 86,000 7-Eleven stores across 19 countries. 7-Eleven Inc. manages more than 13,000 locations in the United States and Canada.
The planned North American closures come as consumers face higher prices worldwide. Energy markets have been especially unsettled amid the U.S. and Israel conflict with Iran, a development that has helped push gasoline prices higher. In its April 9 report, Seven & i said that while the broader economy remained relatively robust during fiscal 2025, “personal consumption also began to soften,” particularly among lower-income households affected by inflation.
Internationally, Seven-Eleven Japan expects openings to exceed closures: the company projects it will close about 350 stores and open roughly 550. Seven & i anticipates revenue for the current fiscal year to drop about 9.4% to nearly 9.45 trillion yen (about $59.5 billion).
To counter the pressure on sales, Seven & i is pursuing a broader transformation plan aimed at boosting convenience-store offerings, including more fresh food options and expansion of its 7NOW delivery service. Stephen Hayes Dacus took over as Seven & i’s CEO last spring as the company moves forward with these strategies.