Popular Convenience Store, 99 Years Old, Closing Over 600 Locations

It's the end of an era for a popular convenience store that's closing more than 600 locations across the U.S. by the end of the year. Thankfully, this store won't completely be gone by the end of 2026, but it will have fewer locations available.

Convenience stores are an important part of the economy. According to research from the NACS/NIQ Convenience Industry Store Count, the U.S. had more than 151,000 convenience stores as of early 2026. It's also a booming small business, with 63% of stores owned by companies that have 10 or less locations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, with the U.S. population at an estimated 343 million, there's one convenience store for every 2,257 people in the country, NACS/NIO reports.

Beloved Convenience Store Shuttering Hundreds of Locations Across the United States By the End of the Fiscal Year

Longtime convenience store chain 7-Eleven plans to close 645 locations in North America by the end of February 2027, during its fiscal year, according to documents released by the chain's parent company, Seven & I Holding.

The company is expected to finish the closures by the end of the company's current fiscal year, which closes out on Feb. 28, 2027. But, there's a silver lining, because even though 7-Eleven is closing 645 locations, it's also opening more than 200 across North America during that same time period.

Seven & I Holding didn't name the stores that will be closed but did say that some locations will be converted to "wholesale fuel stores." According to a report from C-Store Dive, the closures mark the fifth consecutive year 7-Eleven has closed more locations than it's opened.

Beloved Store Is Known for Its Iconic Slurpee Drinks

While 7-Eleven is known as a one-stop shop for a quick bite to eat, snack or drink, the convenience store is best known for its iconic 7-Eleven Slurpee. The sweet beverage combines the taste of your favorite soda with crushed ice, making it a ice-cold, sweet treat during the summer months or even year round.

Director of proprietary beverage brands Rusty Smith told Eater magazine in 2016 that by the 1960s, there were more than 1,000 7-Eleven stores across North America, and that's when demand for frozen drinks surged.

"Obviously ice cream has always been popular, but frozen beverages have a natural affinity with kids," Smith told the outlet. "In the early years, 7-Eleven was known for penny candy and video games, and we wanted to have something proprietary that would get kids in our stores."

The store's official website explains that the drink was created by Omar Knedliks, when the soda fountain at his restaurant broke. "He stashed some soda pop in the freezer and had the idea to turn frozen soda into a beverage," the company states. "He used parts from an automobile air conditioner to build a simple frozen beverage machine."

Today, Slurpee beverages are a celebrated beverage of millions and even a pop culture icon. Flavors change for every holiday and season, and there's no telling what you'll find any given day at the local Slurpee machine. However, some of the standard favorites are simply Wild Cherry, Blue Raspberry and Coca-Cola.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 15, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 15, 2026 at 4:08 PM.