Few convenience store chains are as instantly recognizable as 7-Eleven. With more than 77,000 locations across 19 countries, it’s the brand you turn to for a late-night Slurpee or a quick coffee refuel. But finding the nearest store — or understanding how this Dallas-born chain ended up under Japanese ownership — raises more questions than a quick search can answer. This guide walks you through the simplest ways to locate a 7-Eleven near you, then maps out the brand’s global footprint and curious backstory.

Global stores: ~77,000 · Countries: 19 · Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan · Founded: 1927 · Original name: Tote’m Store

Quick snapshot

1How to Find a Store
2Global Reach
  • Operates in 19 countries across North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia
  • Over 77,000 stores worldwide as of 2025
  • European presence includes Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the UK
3History & Ownership
4Famous Products
  • Slurpee — frozen carbonated beverage
  • Big Gulp — oversized fountain drink
  • Taquitos, hot dogs, and fresh coffee

Five key facts, one pattern: the brand that began as a Texas ice house now spans continents under Japanese stewardship, yet its store-level convenience remains remarkably consistent everywhere.

Attribute Value
Founding year 1927
Original name Tote’m Store
Number of stores ~77,000
Headquarters Tokyo, Japan
CEO (7-Eleven Inc.) Joseph DePinto

How to Find a 7-Eleven Near Me

The most reliable way to track down the nearest 7-Eleven is through the chain’s own digital tools. The official store locator on 7-Eleven’s website (brand-operated directory) lets you search by city, ZIP code, or your device’s current location. It returns a list of nearby stores, each with address, phone number, and hours of operation.

7-Eleven near me open now

  • Many 7-Eleven stores operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The location at 784 US-378 in Lexington, South Carolina (official store page) is listed as open 24/7, as is the store at 3514 N Main St in Columbia, South Carolina (official store page). However, hours can vary by location, so it’s wise to check the individual store page before heading out.
  • The store locator includes a filter for “Open 24 Hours” on many location pages, making it easy to find stores that never close.

7-Eleven near me within 1 mile

  • When you search on the 7-Eleven Store Locator (official brand tool), results show a map and a distance-sorted list. In dense suburban markets like Lexington, SC, multiple stores can appear within a few miles — for example, locations at 2374 Augusta Hwy, 815 N Lake Dr, and 5229 Sunset Blvd are all listed as nearby alternatives.
  • The locator also provides driving directions and a “Nearby Stores” feature that helps identify backup options when the closest location is closed or inconvenient.

7-Eleven near me walking distance

  • The 7-Eleven mobile app uses GPS to show stores sorted by proximity, including walking distance estimates. When visiting in person isn’t practical, 7NOW (7-Eleven’s delivery platform) offers delivery from local stores in under 30 minutes in participating cities.
  • The 7NOW directory lists multiple stores within a single city, so you can compare options and choose the one closest to your current location.
The upshot

Official digital tools — both the store locator and the 7NOW app — remove the guesswork. For anyone who needs a quick stop, the brand’s own directory is faster and more accurate than third-party map listings.

Are there any 7-Eleven in Europe?

7-Eleven maintains a meaningful but uneven presence across Europe. The chain operates in several Western and Northern European countries, but its footprint is far smaller than in Asia or North America. The absence in some markets, notably Ireland, is a common point of confusion.

Is there a seven-eleven in Ireland?

Which countries have 7-11 stores?

  • 7-Eleven operates in 19 countries worldwide, including the United States, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and several European nations.
  • The European markets where 7-Eleven currently has stores include Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the United Kingdom. In Sweden and Norway, the brand is particularly widespread, with hundreds of locations in major cities and along highways.

In which countries is 7-Eleven available?

  • According to the corporate site (7-Eleven official homepage), the full list spans 19 countries across four continents: North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. The company’s global reach has expanded steadily since the 1991 acquisition by Seven & i Holdings (Japanese parent conglomerate).
  • Notable gaps include Ireland, most of continental Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain), and South America — regions where local convenience chains dominate.
The catch

Europe is 7-Eleven’s thinnest continent. With stores in only four European countries, a traveler crossing from Dublin to Berlin will not find a single 7-Eleven along the way.

What does 7-11 stand for?

The name “7-Eleven” is a direct reference to the store hours. When the chain was rebranded in 1946, every location opened from 7am to 11pm — a novel selling point at a time when most retailers closed by 6pm.

Why is 7-Eleven so famous?

  • The original name was Tote’m Store, launched in 1927 in Dallas, Texas (Wikipedia entry with founding details). Founder John Jefferson Green started by selling ice blocks from a small dock, then added milk, bread, and eggs as customer requests grew.
  • By 1946, the chain had expanded enough to warrant a new identity. The name 7-Eleven was chosen to highlight the extended 7am-to-11pm operating window, which was groundbreaking for the era.
  • Fame also comes from product innovation. The Slurpee, introduced in the 1960s, became a cultural icon. The Big Gulp, launched in 1980, redefined the fountain-drink category. Combined with aggressive global expansion, these moves cemented 7-Eleven as the world’s largest convenience-store chain.

Why is 7-11 by Beyonce called 7-11?

  • Beyoncé’s song “7/11,” released in 2013, is not about the convenience store. The title reportedly refers to the date July 11 (7/11) and the song’s rhythmic tempo, though the inspiration is speculative.
  • Despite the coincidental name, the song’s lyrics contain no mention of Slurpees, Big Gulps, or late-night errands. The track is a dance-pop ode to spontaneity and celebration.

Is 7-11 American or Japanese?

The answer depends on whether you look at origins or ownership. 7-Eleven was born in Dallas, Texas, in 1927, and for more than six decades it operated as an American company. In 1991, the Japanese retail conglomerate Seven & i Holdings (parent company based in Tokyo) acquired a controlling stake after the U.S. parent company faced financial difficulties. Today, 7-Eleven’s corporate headquarters is in Tokyo, but the brand’s operational headquarters for the Americas remains in Irving, Texas.

  • Founding: Dallas, Texas, USA (1927)
  • Current ownership: Seven & i Holdings, Tokyo, Japan (since 1991)
  • Global CEO (7-Eleven Inc.): Joseph DePinto
  • Operational style: Blend of Japanese retail efficiency and American convenience-store culture
Bottom line: 7-Eleven is an American-born brand now run by a Japanese parent. For customers, the experience is the same — the Slurpees stay frozen and the doors stay open.

Is Chick-fil-A in Dublin, Ireland?

No, Chick-fil-A has no locations in Dublin, Ireland — or anywhere else in Ireland. This is a common point of confusion because there is a Dublin, Ohio, in the United States, which does have a Chick-fil-A restaurant at 6051 Sawmill Rd. As of 2025, the chicken chain has not expanded into the Republic of Ireland.

How to Use the 7-Eleven Store Locator — Step by Step

  1. Visit the official locator: Go to 7-eleven.com/locator (brand-operated directory) on any device.
  2. Allow location access or type in a city, ZIP code, or address.
  3. Browse results: Stores appear as a list sorted by distance, each showing address, phone number, and hours. Look for “Open 24 Hours” labels.
  4. Check fuel prices: On location pages, fuel prices — including regular, mid-grade, premium, diesel, and kerosene — are updated within 24 hours where available.
  5. Use the app: Download the 7-Eleven mobile app for GPS-based store finding and mobile checkout options.
  6. Order delivery: If visiting the store isn’t convenient, check 7NOW (delivery platform by 7-Eleven) to see if your address is within delivery range.

Timeline signal

The journey from Texas ice dock to global convenience giant spans nearly a century. Six moments mark the key turns.

  • 1927 — Founded in Dallas, Texas, as Tote’m Store by John Jefferson Green.
  • 1946 — Renamed 7-Eleven to reflect extended store hours (7am–11pm).
  • 1980s — 7-Eleven opens stores in Ireland, marking one of its early European entries.
  • 1987 — 7-Eleven exits the Irish market entirely.
  • 1991 — Seven & i Holdings of Japan acquires the company, shifting ownership overseas.
  • 2000s — 24-hour operations become standard; expansion pushes into 19 countries, including Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the UK.

What we know and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • 7-Eleven does not operate in Ireland as of 2025.
  • Chick-fil-A has no locations in Ireland.
  • 7-Eleven was originally called Tote’m Store.
  • The brand is owned by Seven & i Holdings of Japan.
  • There are approximately 77,000 7-Eleven stores globally.

What’s unclear

  • The exact store count varies slightly by source; figures range from 76,000 to 78,000.
  • Beyoncé’s inspiration for the song title “7/11” is speculative — no official explanation has been given.

In their own words

“We operate in 19 countries and have more than 77,000 stores globally.”

— 7-Eleven official website (corporate site)

“They were here in the 80’s. They left in 87, and they were great.”

— Reddit user on r/ireland (community discussion)

The implication for anyone searching for a 7-Eleven today is straightforward: the official store locator and 7NOW app are the fastest routes to a nearby store, but the brand’s global map has notable holes — especially in Europe. For a traveler landing in Dublin with a craving for a Slurpee, the nearest 7-Eleven is a flight away. For the rest of us, the store is likely just a short walk or a tap on the app away. The convenience is global; the access is local.

Related reading: **Breakfast Places Near Me Ireland** · **Under Armour Near Me: Dublin Stockists**

Frequently asked questions

Is 7-Eleven open 24 hours a day?

Many 7-Eleven stores are open 24/7, but hours can vary by location. Check the individual store page on the official locator for precise hours, including “Open 24 Hours” designations.

Does 7-Eleven have a delivery service?

Yes, through the 7NOW app and website, delivery is available from participating stores in select cities. Delivery is typically completed in under 30 minutes.

What products does 7-Eleven sell?

7-Eleven sells food, beverages, coffee, snacks, hot dogs, taquitos, Slurpees, fountain drinks, fuel (at many locations), and basic household items.

How many 7-Eleven stores are in the United States?

As of 2025, 7-Eleven operates approximately 9,000 stores in the United States, part of its global network of ~77,000 locations.

What is a Slurpee?

A Slurpee is a frozen carbonated beverage sold at 7-Eleven. Introduced in the 1960s, it comes in a variety of flavors and is one of the chain’s signature products.

Can I find a 7-Eleven with a gas station nearby?

Many 7-Eleven locations include fuel pumps. The official store locator lets you filter for stores with gas, and location pages show current fuel prices updated within 24 hours.

Is the 7-Eleven app free to use?

Yes, the 7-Eleven mobile app is free to download and use for store locating, mobile checkout, and delivery ordering.