7-Eleven pioneered the convenience store concept in 1927 in Dallas, Texas when an employee began selling additional food items on nights and weekends. This new business model was successful and the convenience store was born. 7-Eleven started as Tote'm stores in the 1940s before becoming 7-Eleven in 1946 to reflect its new hours of 7am to 11pm, seven days a week. Today, 7-Eleven is the largest convenience store chain with over 30,000 stores across 18 countries, generating over $43 billion in annual sales.