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Top Franchises of the World
By siliconindia
7-Eleven
Formerly known as the U-Tote'm, 7-Eleven is an international chain of convenience stores that operates under Seven-Eleven Japan Company, which in turn is owned by Seven & I Holdings Company of Japan. The stores emphasize convenience to the customer and provide fresh take-out foods, groceries, beverages and many other products. It primarily operates as a franchise and is the world's largest operator, franchisor and licensor of convenience stores with more than 39,000 outlets located in 16 countries.
Joe C. Thompson founded the company in 1927 in Dallas, Texas. Initially the stores were open from 7 am to 11 pm and thus began to use the 7-Eleven name in 1946. The company opened its 100th store by 1953. in 1980's, the company ran into financial crisis thus selling off its ice division. Ito-Yokado, its largest franchisee, saved it from bankruptcy. The Japanese company gained a controlling share of 7-Eleven in 1991 thus making 7-Eleven its subsidiary in 2005.
