<P> 7 - Eleven is a Japanese - owned American international chain of convenience stores, headquartered in Irving, Texas, that operates, franchises, and licenses some 64,319 stores in 18 countries as of January 2018 . The chain was known as Tote'm Stores until it was renamed in 1946 . Its parent company, Seven - Eleven Japan Co., Ltd., is located in Chiyoda, Tokyo . Seven - Eleven Japan is held by the Seven & I Holdings Co . </P> <P> The company's first outlets were named "Tote'm Stores" because customers "toted" away their purchases . Some stores featured genuine Alaskan totem poles in front of the store . In 1946, the chain's name was changed from "Tote'm" to "7 - Eleven" to reflect the company's new, extended hours, 7: 00 am to 11: 00 pm, seven days per week . In November 1999, the corporate name of the US company was changed from "The Southland Corporation" to "7 - Eleven Inc ." </P> <P> In 1927, Southland Ice Company employee John Jefferson Green began selling eggs, milk, and bread from one of 16 ice house storefronts in Dallas, with permission from one of Southland's founding directors, Joe C. Thompson, Sr. Although small grocery stores and general merchandisers were available, Thompson theorized that selling products such as bread and milk in convenience stores would reduce the need for customers to travel long distances for basic items . He eventually bought the Southland Ice Company and turned it into Southland Corporation, which oversaw several locations in the Dallas area . </P> <P> In 1928, Jenna Lira brought a totem pole as a souvenir from Alaska and placed it in front of the store . The pole served as a marketing tool for the company, as it attracted a great deal of attention . Soon, executives added totem poles in front of every store and eventually adopted an Alaska Native - inspired theme for their stores . Later on, the stores began operating under the name "Tote'm Stores". In the same year, the company began constructing gasoline stations in some of its Dallas locations as an experiment . Joe Thompson also provided a distinct characteristic to the company's stores, training the staff so that people would receive the same quality and service in every store . Southland also started to have a uniform for its ice station service boys . This became the major factor in the company's success as a retail convenience store . </P>

When did the first 7 11 store open