You’ve seen them everywhere. From the neon-lit corners of Tokyo to the dusty highway exits in Texas, that green, orange, and red logo is basically a permanent fixture of modern life. But if you’re trying to pin down exactly how many 7-Eleven stores are there right now, the number is moving faster than a Slurpee machine on a 100-degree day.
Right now, as we head into early 2026, 7-Eleven is sitting at a massive global footprint of roughly 85,000 stores.
It’s a staggering number. To put that in perspective, that’s more than double the number of McDonald’s locations worldwide. But the story behind that total isn't just about growth; it's about a massive, high-stakes pivot happening behind the scenes. While the brand is expanding aggressively in some parts of the world, it’s actually shrinking and "trimming the fat" in others.
The Global Breakdown: Where the Stores Are
Honestly, if you want to understand the scale, you have to look at Japan first. Japan is the heart of the 7-Eleven empire. There are over 21,600 stores in Japan alone. In cities like Tokyo, you can often stand on one street corner and see three different 7-Elevens. They aren't just convenience stores there; they are essential infrastructure where people pay bills, pick up high-quality sushi, and even ship luggage.
Then you have North America. This is where things get interesting. For a long time, the count hovered around 13,000 to 14,000. Currently, 7-Eleven operates or franchises about 13,000 locations across the United States and Canada.
But wait. There’s a catch.
If you’ve been following the news, you might have heard about 7-Eleven closing down hundreds of stores lately. It’s true. Throughout 2024 and 2025, the company shuttered over 440 underperforming locations in the U.S. and Canada. They’re getting rid of the small, cramped shops that mostly sell cigarettes and lottery tickets and replacing them with what they call "New Standard" stores. These are massive, 5,000-square-foot hubs focused on fresh food and in-store restaurants like Laredo Taco Company.
A Quick Peek at Other Major Markets
- Thailand: A dominant force with over 14,500 stores.
- South Korea: Consistently sits at over 13,000 locations.
- Taiwan: Deeply integrated into daily life with more than 6,800 stores.
- China: Growing steadily, currently surpassing 3,000 units.
How Many 7-Eleven Stores Are There in the U.S. vs. The World?
The U.S. market is currently the focus of a major corporate shakeup. The parent company, Seven & i Holdings, is actually in the middle of spinning off the North American business into its own public company. This IPO is scheduled for the second half of 2026.
Why does this matter for the store count? Because investors want to see "quality over quantity."
While the total U.S. count is roughly 12,900 to 13,200 (depending on the exact week and which franchised Speedway or Stripes locations you include), the company has committed to opening 500 new food-forward stores by 2027. So, while they are closing the "bad" ones, they are building bigger, better ones.
It’s a weird paradox. The number of stores might stay flat or even dip slightly in North America, but the total square footage and the amount of "stuff" they sell is actually going up.
The "New Standard" and Why the Count is Changing
If you walk into a 7-Eleven today, it might look like a 1990s time capsule. Or, it might look like a gourmet café. That’s the struggle the brand is facing.
The CEO of Seven & i, Stephen Dacus, has been pretty vocal about the fact that the "old" model—relying on gas and cigarettes—is dying. Electric vehicles don't need gas, and fewer people are smoking. To survive, 7-Eleven is trying to become a restaurant that happens to sell convenience items.
They are aiming for a global goal of 100,000 stores by 2030.
To get there, they are expanding into "new" frontiers. They recently entered Cambodia and are looking at further expansion in Europe and Africa. Most people don't realize that in many countries, 7-Eleven is a luxury brand or a high-end tech hub, not just a place to grab a cheap coffee.
Common Misconceptions About the Numbers
People often confuse 7-Eleven with its parent company’s other holdings. Seven & i Holdings also owns Speedway and Stripes. When you see a headline saying there are 15,000 stores in North America, they are usually including every single gas station brand under that umbrella.
If we’re talking strictly about the 7-Eleven branded storefronts, the number is closer to 13,000 in North America.
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Another thing: the count changes daily. Between franchise agreements expiring, new construction, and the current "transformation plan" that involves closing hundreds of older sites, any "official" number is really just a snapshot in time.
What’s Next for the Store Count?
Expect the global total to keep climbing toward that 100,000 mark, driven mostly by Asia and new international markets. In the U.S., don't be surprised if the number of stores actually decreases slightly over the next 12 months as the company prepares for its 2026 IPO by shedding its least profitable real estate.
If you’re a fan of the brand, look for the "New Standard" signs. Those are the 200+ stores a year they plan to build—bigger, cleaner, and with way better food than that shriveled roller grill hot dog you’re used to seeing.
Actionable Insights for the Curious:
- Track the IPO: If you're into business, watch for the 7-Eleven North America IPO in late 2026; it will reveal the final "cleaned up" store count.
- Check the App: The 7-Eleven app is actually the most accurate way to see how many stores are in your specific region, as it updates based on active GPS locations.
- Look for "Evolution" Stores: If you want to see where the company is heading, search for an "Evolution" or "New Standard" store near you—they represent the future of the 85,000-store fleet.