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7-Eleven Announces Winner in 'W.E. Take the Lead' Women's Franchise Giveaway Contest

By: 7-Eleven |  22 Shares     150 Reads

Florida Native Wins Franchise Fee-Free 7-Eleven® Store

IRVING, Texas - Nov. 1, 2018 // PRNewswire // - The world's largest convenience retailer has selected a winner for its franchise giveaway contest, W.E. Take the Lead, targeted exclusively to women entrepreneurs. Sandra Bivins Owsley of Jacksonville, Florida, will receive a waiver for her franchise fee, valued at up to $190,000, to any 7-Eleven® convenience store available for franchise ownership in the continental United States.

7-Eleven opened the contest in March to all eligible women across the U.S. interested in becoming an independent business owner.

"We had an incredible response to the W.E. Take the Lead program and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the four finalists," said Chris Tanco, 7-Eleven Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "7-Eleven encourages women entrepreneurship everywhere, and we are looking forward to this journey of business ownership with Sandra."

Applicants participated in a series of competitive rounds, including interviews, credit evaluation, leadership assessment, preparing a business plan, in-store experience and more. Four semifinalists were flown to Irving, Texas, to interview with 7-Eleven's executive team, where Owsley was named the contest winner. Semi-finalists listed are Tanya Burnett of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Michelle Baros of Denver, Colorado; and Seema Nibber of Sacramento, California. Since all candidates were extremely qualified, 7-Eleven plans to provide additional support to the other three finalists should they decide to franchise with the company.

"This has been a long journey, and an extremely rewarding one," Owsley said. "I'm excited for this new phase of my life and to see where this journey with 7-Eleven takes me."

Owsley's interest in W.E. Take the Lead is rooted in her childhood memories of the brand. "When I was a kid, my father would let me walk to the 7-Eleven corner store and get a Slurpee® drink," she said. "I hope to bring those same warm feelings and memories to others in my own neighborhood." She plans to open her store in the heart of Jacksonville, Florida.

A graduate of the University of Miami, Owsley says she believes she knows what it takes to be successful in the industry because she's been in the retail business for nearly 20 years. She enjoys volunteering her time with youth development organizations and is active in her local church.

7-Eleven will also donate a $5,000 Project A-Game® grant to a local charity at the grand opening of Owsley's store. 7-Eleven Project A-Game grants support youth programs focused on education, fitness, safety and hunger relief.

Entrepreneur magazine ranked 7-Eleven the No. 2 franchise business opportunity on its 2018 Franchise 500 list. This year marks the 54th year of franchising for the world's largest convenience store chain.

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 67,000 stores in 17 countries, including 11,800 in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee®, Big Bite® and Big Gulp®, 7-Eleven has expanded into high-quality salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings, cheeseburgers and hot chicken sandwiches. 7-Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select® brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites, at an outstanding value. Customers also count on 7-Eleven for bill payments, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com, via the 7Rewards® customer loyalty platform on the 7-Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.

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