How 1 New Snack Saved 7-Eleven from Bankruptcy

7-Eleven is the world's first and largest convenience store chain — worth nearly $37 billion. It has over 70,000 stores in 17 countries and the most locations in Japan, where sales are more than double.

But, it hasn’t always been this way.

7-Eleven once rejected the idea of opening a store in Japan. And long before then, the business was only an ice block store — up until a junior employee took a chance on pitching a bold idea to his boss.

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[hook]

Get your first seven days right now for just ONE dollar.

[cuseyeti]

Here in Thailand there's a 7-11 every two millimeters. I once opened the refrigerator at the local 7-11 and found another 7-11 inside.

[thevinmeister]

I remember when my wife first came to Canada from Japan and was so confused at why 7-Eleven in Canada was so dirty with a blander, more processed food section.

[fireaj_]

Its kinda crazy how despite being an American originating business, 7-eleven Japan is light years ahead of the US ones. Ive never actually seen an American 7 eleven that is actually nice and not dirty lol. I wish we could get the same kind of stores here like they do in Japan as those i can say really put the “convenience” in convenience store

[LaMoooon]

It's crazy to think that they used to be an ice store, things have really changed since then 😅

[n-do]

As a Japanese person, I can say that Japanese 7-Elevens are the best.

[rellshobbythoughts]

I could say that convenience stores in Japan, such as 7-11 really offers "convenience". We also have 7-11 and other convenience stores here in the Philippines but nothing comes close to what they have in Japan.

[misstekhead]

I’ve never seen a nice 7-11 in the U.S. I wish they would see bento foods, and other similar Japanese foods. Most Millennials and Gen Z have heard about how awesome the 7-11s in Japan thanks to the internet. If anything it seems like a quarter of the shorts and Tik toks I see are showing off what’s available in Japanese 7-11.

[vivalanina]

I only wish that considering how popular the onigiri were in Japan, that they would start selling them in the US too. Sure there are chain sushi stores that do, but it would be nice to have the availability and convenience when it comes to that snack in particular.

[RayMak]

Japanese convenient stores food are the best. Followed by Thailand.

[noeljr.]

I live in Thailand. 7-Eleven stores are everywhere and have everything. My only gripe is that foreigners, such as myself, can't sign up for the membership program.

[nerdgeekcosplay]

My first experience with 7-11 was in high school. My local locations sold and served pizza and it was the talk of the school. So I gave it a chance and boy was it good.

[SaishuuKessen]

Definitely for sure if you ever go to Japan and you're from America I think you'll be shocked at convenience stores in Japan, whether or not its 7-11, Lawson, Family Mart whatever. I would actually say its the biggest culture shock for me in my entire time there. The quality of food you can get at Japan in 7-11 is just unbelievable truly.

[opgkoyote]

“John decided to keep the store he worked at open for 16 hours, 7 days a week”

Me: *7-7 is 12 hours, 7-11 is another 4 hours, equaling 16 hours…the numbers beginning to make sense…*

[justagundam]

So can we get a Japanese 7-Eleven in the USA now?

[born]

Hook I watch soo, any of ur videos they’re so inspirational and well written, especially my fav one - The Hershey story keep up the work man

[Veenbuen]

“I need a cold drink”
“We have blocks of ice offering lifetime refreshment”
“But I need iced tea”
“But we have ice”

[Undecided]

There's a 7-Eleven in Manhattan that had an arcade inside. They closed the arcade after the pandemic started.

[DallasT]

From the countries where I've been, I would say the best 7-11 are, in order, Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea (also been to Hong Kong, Singapore and I'd say their's are also not too shabby)... They are fairly common here in my country (Philippines) but I guess the level and options are pretty basic from other international countries.. I remember when travelling surviving to 7-11 meals... When travelling becomes normal again, would definitely be wanting to travel to Japan and experience the 7-11 there

[GoodVideos]

Here at Cape Town, South Africa, there were 7-Eleven branches. They had the same logo, and everything. They then changed to a blue logo, with a blue 7, and called 'Friendly 7-Eleven'. But, then fairly recently they disappeared, when the owner passed away. Now they are just cafés (small supermarkets).