Buzz
With the summer season approaching, it's time to stock up on ice-cold Big Gulps and refreshing Slurpees—plus, don’t miss out on your free one this July 11th!
7-Eleven has become a staple in America, with its iconic neon sign serving as a comforting reminder that, no matter the hour, you can always grab some snacks like potato chips and donuts. Here are some amazing facts about this beloved convenience store that you probably didn’t know.
10. The Big Gulp Changed the Way We Fill Our Sodas
These days, it's common to find self-serve soda fountains at movie theaters and restaurants across the country, but it wasn’t always this convenient.
In 1976, 7-Eleven sought to distinguish itself from other convenience stores in the U.S., and what better way to achieve that than by introducing a drink loaded with an excess of sugar?
Coca-Cola proposed a revolutionary new 32-ounce cup, far larger than the previous 20-ounce size. Before the Big Gulp's arrival, all 7-Eleven fountain drinks were served by employees behind the counter, causing delays as workers spent too much time on filling drinks and not enough at the register.
Noticing how customers enjoyed the freedom of pouring their own coffee, 7-Eleven decided to create self-service drink stations. This not only allowed customers to craft their drinks to their liking but also saved valuable time for employees. As reported by the Smithsonian, 7-Eleven became the first retailer in the U.S. to introduce self-serve beverage stations.
The Big Gulp, while popular, wasn't without its issues.
Americans embraced the Big Gulp's large size and low price, making it a symbol of freedom and enjoyment during the '80s. Alongside the Slurpee, the Big Gulp became a staple of fun and independence.
Not everyone was a fan of this massive cup of fizzy sweetness. 7-Eleven didn't stop with the standard Big Gulp, pushing the limits even further with the 44-ounce Super Big Gulp and eventually the 64-ounce Double Gulp. Politicians and health experts were quick to criticize these new sizes, warning that consuming 64 ounces of soda, with its staggering sugar content, was far from healthy.
Though calls for bans on sugary drinks and restrictions on size limits have been raised against 7-Eleven and other soda vendors, none have been implemented. You can say what you want about the U.S., but we stand firm in our devotion to sugar.
It All Began as an Ice Store
Before the familiar 7-Eleven signs illuminated cities across America, there was the Southland Ice Company. True to its name, this small Texas-based operation primarily sold ice. In 1927, Southland expanded its offerings, selling milk, eggs, and other grocery essentials right from the ice station.
Joe Thompson, the founding director of Southland, correctly predicted that customers would prefer a nearby convenience store to a more distant supermarket. He later purchased the entire Southland Ice Company, renaming it the Southland Corporation, and began franchising these small stores, which eventually became the original 7-Elevens.
7. The Original Stores Featured Totem Poles
In 1928, a manager at a Southland Ice Station acquired a totem pole from Alaska, nearly 30 years before the region became a U.S. state. What began as a simple indigenous souvenir was displayed outside the store, piquing the curiosity of customers.
Noticing an increase in business at this particular store, company executives decided to introduce totem poles in more locations nationwide. This led to the creation of a new store theme: each now had Alaskan native decorations and a fresh name.
The stores were no longer referred to as Southland Ice Company. Instead, they were called 'Tote’m stores,' a clever play on the totem theme and the fact that customers happily 'toted' away their purchases.
6. The Name Is Inspired by the Store's Operating Hours
If you've ever craved a late-night snack at two in the morning, you know 7-Eleven isn't just open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. – not anymore.
After the Great Depression and WWII, the Texas company (like many American businesses) faced tough times. To boost sales, Tote’ms extended their hours to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. While this may seem like nothing special now, options for late-night shopping were few in a post-war world.
To highlight these extended hours, the store names were changed, and the rest is history. By 1963, when 24/7 stores were introduced, the name had already become a symbol of convenience, and it stuck.
5. How a Football Game Made Them Go 24/7
Although the 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. hours were groundbreaking back then, today, it's hard to imagine life without the ability to grab a Slurpee at any hour. For this, we have the University of Texas football fans to thank.
In the early 1960s, 7-Eleven tested 24/7 stores along the Las Vegas strip, correctly predicting that the high levels of alcohol and drugs in the area would drive around-the-clock demand for food.
Before 1963, Las Vegas was the only city in the U.S. with 24/7 stores. That year, a group of students in Dallas convinced a 7-Eleven near campus to stay open after a football game ran late. The store was packed with students eager for a late-night snack. The next game night, the store stayed open again, and it was a hit.
Before long, 7-Eleven stores switched to staying open all day, every day, with other college towns following their lead. The success of this move opened the eyes of company executives, and 24/7 stores became more common.
4. There's a Hidden Lowercase 'N' in the Logo
Have you ever noticed something curious about the 7-Eleven logo? Specifically, that one of the letters is lowercase while the rest are uppercase?
The letter 'n' in the logo is the only one that appears in lowercase. One popular explanation for this design choice traces back to the first wife of John Thompson, 7-Eleven’s president in the 1960s. She believed the all-caps version of the logo seemed too harsh and proposed lowering a single letter to make it appear more elegant.
Though unproven, this theory has been supported by Margaret Chabris, the company’s public relations director, and even appears in the official 7-Eleven FAQ on their website.
3. It’s Known as the First Convenience Store
Today, in almost every major city around the globe, you’re never far from a quick snack or basic groceries. Convenience stores, by design, provide an easier and more accessible shopping option compared to larger stores like Walmart and Target. Their smaller size and more limited stock make them ideal for popping up wherever they're needed.
This convenience store trend started with 7-Eleven. Jeff Lendard, the vice president of the National Association of Convenience Stores, credits the extended hours of the original 7-Eleven stores as the catalyst for the entire convenience store movement.
Whether you refer to them as convenience stores, corner stores, or bodegas, we owe it to the Southland Ice Company for expanding our late-night snack options.
2. Slurpees Are Essentially Icees
Ever wondered if there’s any real difference between an Icee and a Slurpee? The simple answer is… there isn’t. They are essentially the same thing.
The reason Icees are available everywhere, but Slurpees are exclusive to 7-Eleven, dates back to a 1965 licensing agreement. Under this deal, 7-Eleven could sell Icees in their stores but under the distinct name of ‘Slurpee.’ The name was inspired by the sound the drink makes when slurped through the straw.
Nowadays, there are over 300 different Slurpee flavors, making it one of the most recognizable symbols of the convenience store. During the summer, 7-Elevens across the United States host events like Free Slurpee Day (naturally on 7/11) and Bring Your Own Cup Day, where customers can fill any container (up to 10 inches in diameter) for just two dollars.
1. It’s Owned by a Japanese Corporation
While 7-Eleven originated in America, the convenience store giant is currently owned by the Japanese company Seven & I Holdings.
In 1991, the Southland Ice Company declared bankruptcy. At that time, Japanese retail chain Ito-Yokado acquired over 70% of its stock. By 2005, 7-Eleven Japan had fully purchased the company.
Although 7-Eleven is considered a hallmark of American culture, there are actually more 7-Eleven locations in Japan than in any other country, including the U.S., despite Japan being less than 13 times the size of America!
In fact, 30% of all 7-Eleven stores worldwide are located in Japan. These stores are slightly different from their American counterparts, reflecting cultural differences in convenience stores. Japanese 7-Elevens are well-known for offering bento box meals, sushi, and onigiri (rice balls).
I imagine it would be quite difficult to find anyone eager to sample sushi from a Texas convenience store.
