Twizzlers. Cherry Slurpee. Redbull…Onigiri? 7-Eleven is about to get a whole lot better due to a recent integration of Japanese snacks into its rotation.
Few Americans probably realize that 7-Eleven, the apotheosis of crappy American gas station food, is actually owned by a Japanese company, Seven & I Holdings. While it began as an American company, it was bought out by its Japanese affiliate in the late 1980s after the original business suffered through a spiraling downfall of debt and other financial difficulties. Now the franchise is reinventing itself by bringing more Japanese snacks into its line of U.S. offerings, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Frankly, the company probably could’ve done this way earlier, and seen windfall profits. Who doesn’t like a good rice ball once in a while? According to the Journal’s video, the snacks heading your way soon include ramen, rice balls, milk tea, and other favorites. For a significant demographic, I think a lot more appealing than dry, day-old hotdogs, bad coffee, and cigarettes.
The Journal reports that the shift in offerings may be the result of changing sales patterns in the gas station and convenience store industry. Sales of cigarettes and gas, which have been the dominant product offerings at such stores, have been on the decline for quite some time. As a result, many chains are putting a bigger emphasis on food. For a company like 7-Eleven, that means diversifying what kind of products the brand offers customers.
7-Eleven stores in Japan have long been known for their diversity of food offerings, so it would be great to see that kind of glow-up for stores in the U.S. Bring on the snacks.
