7-Eleven began franchising stores in 1964, expanding beyond its company-operated locations.
The convenience-store business that became 7-Eleven grew from Southland Ice Company operations in Texas. Southland began selling convenience goods under the Tote’m name and later adopted the 7-Eleven name to reflect its extended daily hours. Franchising gave the company a way to expand its retail network through independently operated stores.
In 1964, 7-Eleven started franchising in the United States. This was separate from the later international growth that made the brand a familiar sight in countries across Asia, North America and elsewhere. Franchisees generally operate local stores under the 7-Eleven brand and follow the company’s operating standards.
The year is sometimes confused with 7-Eleven’s name change, which occurred in 1946, or with the company’s expansion into Canada, which began in 1969. These were different milestones in the chain’s history.