7-Eleven Flying High

DALLAS, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Airline travelers at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport will be able to grab some of their favorite products like Slurpee® drinks and specialty grill foods when 7-Eleven, Inc., the world's largest convenience retailer, opens its first store inside an airport secured area.  The 1,291-square-foot outlet is expected to be ready for business in 2013 as part of the airport's Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101208/DA14293LOGO)

The Dallas-based retailer, along with its partners for this property, recently won the bid for a location near Gate 25 in Terminal A.

"Although we have 7-Eleven® stores on a few airport properties in North America, this will be our first located inside security and directly across from departure and arrival gates," said Dan Porter, 7-Eleven's development vice president.

"7-Eleven is all about convenience," Porter said, "and our proprietary merchandising and logistics systems are prepared to serve the daily needs of both busy travelers and terminal employees.  Dallas-Fort Worth is home town for us, so it makes sense that our first U.S. outlet of this type is at DFW Airport."

Plans call for 7-Eleven's iconic Slurpee®, Big Gulp® and Big Bite® brands with an emphasis on fresh foods and bakery items that are delivered daily to be part of the store's product mix.  Among other selections for hungry travelers will be hot foods, including pizza, potato wedges, and chicken tenders.

7-Eleven also boasts healthier offerings, such as several sizes of pre-made salads, fresh-cut fruit and vegetables, sandwiches and low-calorie beverages.  

To provide travelers with value options, 7-Eleven will offer value-priced grocery, packaged snacks and bakery items under its 7-Select private brand. 7-Select is the company's exclusive line of food and other products developed to compete on taste and quality with name brands, but at prices 10 to 20 percent less.  

For travelers' convenience, the 7-Eleven store will have refills that meet travel restrictions in addition to emergency, health and beauty items and popular magazines.

While this store won't be operating 24 hours, the 7-Eleven will be available to serve late-night customers when flights are delayed.

Operating the store will be Dallas-based Ray Quintanilla, who will become a 7-Eleven franchisee under 7-Eleven, Inc.'s business conversion program, and  LS Travel Retail North America, a subsidiary of the world's largest magazine publisher and operator of nearly 4,000 "transit-oriented" stores worldwide. Quintanilla already owns a number of concessions at DFW Airport and has been serving customers there for 22 years.

They will lend their expertise to ensure customers have books and publications that reflect the interests of customers passing through Terminal A.  

"7-Eleven already serves 40 million customers a day and is well known in many countries," said Ken Buchanan, executive vice president for revenue management at DFW Airport.  "The company's commitment to quality and customer service along with LS Travel Retail North America's know-how and Ray's experience should make this a successful operation and popular with travelers and airport personnel."

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses close to 8,600 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, there are more than 41,200 7-Eleven stores in 16 countries. During 2010, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $62.7 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Forbes magazine's 2011 list of Top Franchises for the Money, #4 spot on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2009, #3 in Forbes magazine's Top 20 Franchises to Start, #3 among Top 100 Global Franchises by Franchise Direct, among GI Jobs magazine's Top 100 Military-Friendly Employers, #3 in Store Growth by Convenience Store News, #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies, #6 in AllBusiness AllStar Franchise ranking and #29 among Top 100 Chains in Food Service.  Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven in its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven recently was selected by three diversity publications as a company offering the best career and franchisee opportunities. In addition, Symphony IRI recognized 7-Eleven in its 2009 Shopper-Centric Marketing Innovation program, and 7-Eleven received the 2010 Retailer of the Year from PL Buyer because of the company's private-label brand initiative. The company is franchising its stores in the U.S., and is expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.

SOURCE 7-Eleven