CHICAGO, April 9 2026 — The parent company of 7-Eleven, the country’s largest convenience-store chain, said on Thursday it would push back its North American go-public plans by at least a year, given ongoing consumer uncertainty, falling gasoline demand and the retailer’s own sputtering turnaround plans.
Tokyo-based Seven & i’s North American initial public offering (IPO) was originally slated for the back half of this year but is now on the docket for April 2027 “at the earliest,” the c-store retailer said in announcing its financial results for the fiscal year ended Feb. 28.
“In North America, although the economy remained robust, personal consumption also began to soften, particularly among low-income households, as inflation continued to weigh on spending,” Seven & i said in its earnings overview. “Across all markets, the economic outlook remains uncertain, with geopolitical risks that may persist and evolve.”
During its fourth quarter, Seven & i said revenue dropped 18%, while operating profit at its c-stores outside of Japan rose 17%.
Last August, 7-Eleven’s owner announced a sweeping transformation plan, sparked by the failed $47.2 billion takeover attempt by rival c-store retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard, owner of the Circle K retail brand.
Foodservice strategy figured prominently in the turnaround plan, with the retailer saying it planned to open 1,300 large-footprint, food-focused c-stores in the U.S. by 2030. Further, the retailer said it would add 1,100 restaurants to its portfolio by the end of the decade, while also expanding its signature and private-brand food items.
The company operates Laredo Taco Company and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits restaurant brands.
The efforts appear to be paying off, at least in part.
“During the fourth quarter, average spending per customer increased year on year, supported by initiatives such as fresh-food-led value offerings,” Seven & i said. “However, this increase failed to fully offset the impact of decreased customer traffic due to various factors including the government shutdown in October to November, causing same store merchandise to fall below the previous year’s level.”
The retailer noted “heightened competition in the U.S. ready-to-eat-food market.”
It painted a less-than-rosy picture for the new fiscal year, forecasting revenue to fall 9.4% while net profits shrink 7.8%.
7-Eleven operates, licenses or franchises more than 13,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada.
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.