7-Eleven’s parent company, Seven & i Holdings, plans to close 645 stores across North America during its 2026 fiscal year as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and address recent declines in performance.

The closures will include a mix of underperforming locations and stores slated for conversion into wholesale fuel sites. The company has not identified which specific locations will be affected.

At the same time, Seven & i Holdings intends to open approximately 205 new convenience stores by February, signaling a strategy focused on reshaping rather than shrinking its overall footprint.

The move follows two consecutive years of negative growth in North America. Company figures indicate that the total number of 7-Eleven locations in the region stood at more than 13,000 in early 2024 and is projected to fall to around 12,272 by next year.

The restructuring builds on earlier efforts. In 2024, the company had already targeted more than 400 stores for closure due to underperformance, reflecting ongoing challenges in the convenience retail sector, including shifting consumer habits and increased competition.

Despite the closures, 7-Eleven remains one of the largest convenience store operators globally, with tens of thousands of locations spanning the United States, Canada, and Japan. The brand traces its origins to 1927, when its first store opened in Dallas, Texas, and has since expanded into a major international retail network.

Company officials say the latest round of closures is part of a long-term plan to optimize store performance, improve efficiency, and position the business for more sustainable growth.