Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. has promoted Ken Wakabayashi to co-CEO of 7-Eleven International.
Previously 7-Eleven Inc.’s SVP and head of international, Wakabayashi will now lead the 7-Eleven brand’s global growth strategy alongside co-CEO Shinji Abe from Seven-Eleven Japan.
“We are thrilled to offer our congratulations to Ken Wakabayashi on this exciting new role,” said Joe DePinto, 7-Eleven Inc. president and CEO. “With this move, Ken will help lead the 7IN team to further our global growth strategy and provide world-class value and support to our international licensees and master franchisees.”
As co-CEOs of 7IN, Wakabayashi and Abe will be responsible for all operations outside North America and Japan, as well as overseeing the 7–Eleven trademark globally. This team will further enhance providing support to existing licensees and master franchisees to focus on expanding the 7-Eleven brand into new territories.
“This change reinforces 7-Eleven Inc.’s and Seven-Eleven Japan’s commitment to the growth of the 7–Eleven brand and to providing value and support to our licensee and master franchisee organizations,” said Wakabayashi. “We are well positioned for growth and long-term value creation as we focus on expanding the brand into new territories and provide an enhanced support structure for our existing territories.”
This announcement comes following the formation of 7-Eleven International LLC. By combining the strengths that joint owners have cultivated in their local markets into the new entity, 7IN will be able to better leverage 7-Eleven’s product development capabilities, digital technology and environmental, social and governance initiatives, while maintaining its position as a global brand.
Along with this change comes a team revitalization in support of international growth and enhancement of the 7-Eleven brand worldwide. The company’s board of directors will consist of DePinto, CEO; Chris Tanco, EVP and COO; and Stan Reynolds, EVP and CFO from 7-Eleven Inc. along with Wakabayashi, co-CEO of 7IN, will serve on the 7IN Board of Directors.
For more information, visit corp.7-eleven.com.
