7-Eleven’s Philippines operator marks 30 years of partnership with PFA

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC), the exclusive operator of 7-Eleven stores in the Philippines, celebrates three decades of fruitful partnership with Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), highlighting a journey of growth, innovation and collaborative success that has helped shape the country's franchising landscape.

In 1993, seeing the success of franchising abroad, Samie Lim, the acknowledged father of Philippine franchising and now PFA's chairman emeritus, along with Jose Pardo and Vicente Paterno, one of the industry pioneers and the founders of 7-Eleven Philippines, took the pioneering step of hosting the first-ever Philippine Franchise Expo. In the following years, as the industry continued to grow, they spearheaded the creation of the PFA in 1995, formalizing a collective effort to support and develop local and foreign franchises in the country.

As a founding PFA member, 7-Eleven has a strong advocacy for franchising's potential in the Philippines which is reflected in its continued support of PFA's initiatives, including its yearly sponsorship of Franchise Asia, the PFA's flagship event. These gatherings have become vital platforms for franchise leaders to discuss industry trends, share best practices and explore new business opportunities.

The partnership has yielded numerous recognitions for 7-Eleven Philippines, including the Franchise Excellence Award for International Master Franchise of the Year (2005-2007), Best Overall Marketing Campaign Award (2009), and most recently, the Sustainability Category Award (2024). The brand has also consistently showcased its retail innovation through its exhibit booths, earning the Best Booth Display Award multiple times (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022).

Furthermore, 7-Eleven was recognized as the 'Crowd’s Favorite' at the 2023 Philippine Franchise Asia Expo, drawing consistent foot traffic and ultimately becoming the most
visited booth at the event.

PSC’s contributions to the franchise community have been substantial and far-reaching. Today, franchise-owned stores represent 50 percent of all 7-Eleven outlets in the Philippines, creating entrepreneurial opportunities for countless Filipinos while generating significant employment across the country.

“Our partnership with PFA has been instrumental in establishing standards of excellence in the franchise industry," said Jose Victor Paterno, president and CEO at PSC. By actively participating in national and regional expos, we've helped elevate the professionalism of franchising while creating viable business opportunities for Filipino entrepreneurs.”

Since introducing its franchise model in 1998, 7-Eleven Philippines has achieved remarkable growth. The brand demonstrated exceptional resilience during the pandemic, adapting its operations to continue serving communities safely while supporting franchisees through challenging times.

In 2024, PSC reached two significant milestones: opening its 4,000th 7-Eleven store in the Philippines and celebrating 40 years of operations in the country. These achievements underscore the brand's enduring relevance and continued expansion in the Philippine retail landscape.

“Our growth from a single store to 4,000 outlets across the Philippines reflects not just our business success, but the strength of our franchise model and the dedication of our franchisees," noted Paterno. "Many of our franchisees have grown their operations from single stores to multiple locations, creating success stories that inspire others.”