7-Eleven traces its origins to which Texas city?

7-Eleven traces its origins to Dallas, Texas.

The chain began in 1927 when the Southland Ice Company operated an ice-house storefront in Dallas. These early outlets sold ice along with food and household staples, anticipating the convenience-store format that would later make 7-Eleven famous.

The first stores were later called Tote'm Stores, a name inspired by the idea that customers “toted” their purchases away. In 1946, the company renamed them 7-Eleven to highlight its then-expanded schedule of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

Dallas is therefore the correct origin city, even though the modern company is headquartered in nearby Irving, Texas. That distinction causes a frequent mix-up: Irving is the present corporate headquarters, while Dallas is where the business began. The chain later tested 24-hour opening in Austin in 1963 before making all-night service more widely associated with the brand.