CHICAGO, July 24, 2026 — After seven months, c-store giant 7-Eleven has a new CEO.
Mauricio Leyva, formerly group president of Keurig Dr Pepper, will lead the North American convenience-store business operated by Tokyo-based Seven & i Holdings (SEI) as the retailer undergoes a major operational turnaround and attempts to emerge from a chaotic couple of years.
Leyva was with Keurig Dr Pepper from 2020 to 2024, leading the beverage company following its merger and shaping a new business strategy, according to 7-Eleven. Leyva spent 15 years in senior leadership posts at Anheuser-Busch InBev, and also held executive posts at Lala Mexico and SABMiller. Leyva had been working as a senor advisor at McKinsey & Company prior to his appointment.
"Mauricio brings a wealth of executive leadership experience at global consumer goods companies and a proven track record of leading business transformations," said Steve Dacus, president and CEO of Seven & i Holdings. "His appointment represents an important milestone as the company accelerates toward our transformation program 'North Star', and we are delighted to welcome Mauricio to the Seven & i family to lead SEI into this next stage of growth."
7-Eleven had been without a permanent CEO since December following the retirement of Joe DePinto, who had helmed the c-store chain for two decades. (DePinto had vacated his seat on Seven & i’s board of directors in March 2025.)
DePinto’s retirement capped a tumultuous period for 7-Eleven.
In 2024, Alimentation Couche-Tard, the parent company of the Circle K convenience-store chain, submitted a takeover bid for Seven & i. The Japanese parent company rejected that initial $38.5 billion offer, and Couche-Tard upped its bid to about $47 billion a few months later.
SEI in March 2025 countered with wholesale restructuring plans, including a proposal for a North American initial public offering (IPO). But earlier this year, the retailer said it would push back those IPO plans to at least next April, if not later.
One year ago this month, Couche-Tard officially withdrew its Seven & i buyout offer, citing a lack of “good faith and judgment” from the chain’s leadership.
With the new CEO in place, SEI said it will continue its 7-Eleven transformation plans, which includes the addition of more than 1,000 new restaurants at its stores by 2030 as part of an overall “aggressive investment” in foodservice.
7-Eleven has more than 9,300 U.S. locations under the 7-Eleven, Speedway and Stripes banners. It operates or franchises more than 600 Laredo Taco Company restaurants and about 60 Raise the Roost Chicken & Biscuits locations.
"I have long admired the 7-Eleven brand, and I am honored to lead SEI at such an important moment in its history,” Leyva said in a statement. “I look forward to working closely with our franchise owners, our associates and the leadership team across Seven & i to unlock SEI's full potential. Together, we will redefine convenience and bring the 7-Eleven experience to more customers across North America."
Heather Lalley is the director of communications for IFMA The Food Away from Home Association. A lifelong journalist, Lalley has previously worked with industry publications including Restaurant Business, CSP Daily News, Supermarket News and Foodservice Director.