Top Franchise Leaders: Joseph DePinto, CEO of 7-Eleven, Inc.

7-Eleven is the world’s largest convenience store and has grown into an enormous franchise, with more than 81,887 locations worldwide. The brand has experienced a nearly 20% growth rate in development over the last three years. Any moderately sized city seems to have a store on almost every corner, and a new 7-Eleven store opens every three hours. 

With its essential business model and huge owner network, 7-Eleven is often thought of as one of the biggest power players in franchising. A concept with a wide-ranging consumer base, the company has achieved brand recognition that reaches counties near and far and has been the recipient of many awards in the industry.

Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 places 7-Eleven at No. 9 this year on its Franchise 500 ranking and No. 1 in the fastest-growing franchises category.

The CEO of the franchise, Joseph DePinto, is also a highly regarded individual in the business world. He has served as head of 7-Eleven since 2005, is Board Director and previously served as vice president of operations. DePinto, a United States Military Academy at West Point graduate, has also worked with Thornton Quick Cafe & Market, PepsiCo Inc. and GameStop Corporation. He also serves on a number of advisory boards and groups and is a Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army.

"Joe's proven ability to drive results will be an advantage for 7-Eleven as we continue to improve our operations. He knows our business and strategies well,” said Toshifumi Suzuki, former chairman and CEO of Seven-Eleven Japan Co. when DePinto was appointed chief executive. “With Joe's background in marketing, merchandising, and operations and his demonstrated focus on customer service and satisfaction, he will provide excellent leadership for the next phase of our growth.”

DePinto has received numerous recognitions in the industry for his work keeping the brand, which was founded in 1927 and has been franchising since 1964, on a path of continued success and expansion. 

He was awarded the McLane Leadership in Business Award by Texas A&M University, recognized as Convenience Store Products magazine’s Retail Leader of the Year, labeled as an "Industry Titan” by Women's Foodservice Forum and was an honoree for Nation’s Restaurant News’ Golden Chain Awards. The dad of four boys was also an honoree for the Father of the Year Award and is on the National Italian American Foundation’s Wall of Honors.

And everything that DePinto has accomplished, he’s earned.

“He wasn’t born with a silver spoon. The impact that he’s achieved, everything he accomplished, he accomplished on his own. It’s really the American dream,” his childhood friend George Arvanitis told Convenience Store Products magazine. 

DePinto credits much of 7-Eleven’s success to the fact that the brand has an inclusive atmosphere, eager to partner with franchisees from all walks of life. The company offers financing help and discounts for veterans. It also handles stocking stores and the cost of the land, building, and store equipment. 

“We talk about diversity a lot here, and it’s important. We actively seek out employees, corporate store managers, franchise owners from all backgrounds, and I think we’re a stronger organization because of it,” he told Nation’s Restaurant News. “That didn’t just happen. It’s a strategic objective on our one-page strategy map. The entire organization knows that this is important to us.”