| REDMOND, OR. (Jan. 11, 2009) – Since receiving
an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force in 1977, Dennis
Wallis has spent most of his civilian career as an owner/operator
of multiple convenience stores in the North Pacific region. Last
month, Wallis, a former sergeant with the Aerospace Patrol Division
at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Wash., and
his wife, Sandi, reported for duty at their new business – the
Redmond 7-Eleven® store located at 1209 SW
Highland Ave. This summer, the convenience retailer launched a new military veterans franchise program that offers discounted franchise fees to retired or separated veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged from the service. Qualified veterans who become first-time 7-Eleven franchisees receive a 10-percent discount on the initial franchise fee for the first 7-Eleven® store they franchise, which can range from $1,000 to $35,000. As an experienced veteran of convenience retailing, Wallis said he was surprised at just how much he could still learn about the business in which he has spent most of his professional career. “I thought I knew a lot until I stepped into this,” he said. “The inventory and daily ordering tools available to us as business-owners are phenomenal. I didn’t have any of this technological support at previous stores I operated and had to rely on vendors telling me what was selling. Now I can see for myself by just clicking a few keys on the computer and immediately know which products to concentrate our efforts on.” The Wallis couple had been scouting business opportunities for almost a year, traveling the western U.S. from Washington state to Las Vegas, Nev. That was where Sandi noticed a sign in a 7-Eleven store window advertising that it was available for franchising. But in this instance, what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas. After learning more about 7-Eleven franchising prospects and undergoing qualifying tests in the desert city, they returned to their home state of Oregon to find the ideal store for them. 7-Eleven Franchise Sales Director Tim Bain, who covers the North Pacific region for the company, met with the Wallises and provided them with a list of available stores. The couple, who have lived in Klamath Falls and Grant’s Pass, immediately fell in love with the Redmond community and knew they wanted it to be home. “It’s such a beautiful part of Oregon and smack dab in the middle of the state,” Wallis said. “We love it here and are already feeling at home. Of course, we wear our 7-Eleven shirts everywhere so people are starting to recognize us around town.” The store, located blocks from Redmond High School, fills with students during the lunch rush, and Wallis said he has given one of his student employees Slurpee® drink coupons to distribute to students. “We’re trying to promote our business and are looking forward to a big grand opening celebration Jan. 23,” Wallis said. “This is the only 7-Eleven store in town, and we want everyone to know we’re here. We’re really looking forward to being active members of the Redmond community.” As far as favorite 7-Eleven products, Wallis said he loves the hot wings, chicken tenders and banana-flavored Slurpee drinks. His wife also is partial to chicken tenders along with the steak Go-Go Taquitos®. “We make a great chicken tender sandwich served on a hot dog bun with cheese,” he added. The grand opening Jan. 23 will be from 10 am to 3 pm at the store and will feature food sampling, games and prizes, including a Mongoose mountain bicycle. About 7 Eleven, Inc. 7 Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 8,100 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses close to 37,500 stores in 16 countries. During 2008, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $53.7 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #3 spot on Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list for 2009, #3 in Forbes magazine’s Top 20 Franchises to Start, #3 among Top 100 Global Franchises by Franchise Direct, #3 in Store Growth by Convenience Store News, #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies and #29 among Top 100 Chains in Food Service. In addition, Hispanic Magazine’s named 7-Eleven in its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven recently was selected by three diversity publications as a company offering the best career and franchisee opportunities. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S., and is expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com. |
MFV Expositions
65 Harristown Road, Suite 300
Glen Rock, NJ 07452
Tel: (201) 226-1130
