"If convenience stores are open 24 hours, why the locks on their doors?" If anyone knows, it's 7-Eleven. The North American subsidiary of Seven-Eleven Japan, 7-Eleven operates more than 10,000 company-owned or franchised stores in the US and Canada under the 7-Eleven name. Globally, 7-Eleven licenses more than 51,000 stores in about 15 countries, mostly in the Asia Pacific and Nordic regions. Its stores range from 2,400 to 3,000 sq. ft. and sell about 2,500 items. The world's leading convenience store company is owned by the Japanese retail conglomerate Seven & i Holdings, which is the holding company for Seven-Eleven Japan, Ito-Yokado, Denny's restaurants, and other businesses.