The first post-security 7-Eleven will arrive at Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) in 2013 as part of the airport’s Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program.
Travelers will be able to buy some of their favorite products such as Slurpee® drinks and specialty grilled foods at the 1,291 sq. ft. store.
The store will be operated by Dallas, Texas-based Ray Quintanilla, who is the owner of Sierra Airport Concessions and who will become a 7-Eleven franchisee under 7-Eleven Inc.’s business conversion plan, and LS Travel Retail North America. The companies recently won the bid for a location near Gate 25 in Terminal A.
“This is exciting news not only for us and our partners, Sierra Airport Concessions and 7-Eleven, but also for the DFW traveler and the thousands of airport workers that will benefit for unbeatable value and freshness,” says Gerry Sevaria, president and CEO of LS Travel Retail North America.
“I am very excited about teaming up with LS Travel Retail North America and 7-Eleven,” Quintanilla says. “We are committed to quality and customer service and with Sierra News’ 22 years of experience at DFW, working together will be a great opportunity for all.”
The company’s iconic Slurpee®, Big Gulp® and Big Bite® brands are slated to be at the DFW location, as well as fresh foods and bakery items that will be delivered daily. There will also be hot foods including pizza, potato wedges and chicken tenders, as well healthier fare such as premade salads, fruits and vegetables, sandwiches and low-calorie beverages.
7-Eleven will also offer value-priced grocery, packaged snacks and bakery items under its 7-Select private brand. It will also have refills that meet travel restrictions in addition to emergency, health and beauty items, and magazines.
“Although we have 7-Eleven® stores on a few airport properties in North America, this will be our first located inside security and directly across from departure and arrival gates,” says Dan Porter, 7-Eleven’s development vice president. “7-Eleven is all about convenience, and our proprietary merchandising and logistics systems are prepared to serve the daily needs of both busy travelers and terminal employees. Dallas/Fort Worth is home town for us, so it makes sense that our first U.S. outlet of this type is at DFW Airport.”
The store will not be open 24 hours, but it will be available to serve late-night customers whose flights are delayed.
“7-Eleven already serves 40 million customers a day and is well known in many countries,” says Ken Buchanan, executive vice president for revenue management at DFW. “The company’s commitment to quality and customer service along with LS Travel Retail North America’s know-how and Ray’s experience should make this a successful operation and popular with travelers and airport personnel.”
