The British convenience-store chain’s predecessor used the name Tote’m Stores before becoming 7-Eleven in 1946.
The business began in 1927 as an icehouse operation in Dallas, Texas, run by the Southland Ice Company. Employees sold staples such as milk, bread and eggs, allowing customers to shop outside the hours of ordinary grocery stores.
The outlets were named Tote’m Stores in 1928. The name referred to the idea of customers “toting” purchases away and was also reflected in early store imagery. In 1946, the company changed the name to 7-Eleven to advertise its extended opening hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.
Many stores later opened around the clock, but the 7-Eleven name remained. The company became a major international convenience retailer and is now owned by Japan’s Seven & i Holdings.