Seven & i Holdings announces leadership change, IPO plan for U.S. 7-Eleven operations
Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. announced a series of transformational leadership, capital, and business initiatives to enhance focus on its convenience store business and unlock and distribute significant value to shareholders.
The strategy includes announcing that Stephen Hayes Dacus will take on the role of president and representative director and CEO and that the company will begin to pursue an IPO for 7-Eleven Inc. (SEI), operator of its U.S. 7-Eleven operations, with the IPO listed on one of the major U.S. exchanges in the second half of 2026.
“The [company] is executing key actions that are concrete, actionable, and value accretive,” said Ryuichi Isaka, president of Seven & i Holdings in a statement announcing the moves. “We have been on a journey to explore opportunities that create the most value for our shareholders and enhance our customers’ experiences around the world. This is the right time to move these initiatives forward, and the management team is excited to execute our transformation strategy while remaining focused on identifying avenues to continue driving shareholder value.”
Dacus is currently chairman of the Board as the lead independent outside director with the company and will take over from after the company’s annual general meeting. Isaka will continue to serve as a senior advisor to the company.
READ: Couche-Tard opens Japanese entity in ongoing 7-Eleven acquisition efforts
Seven & i Holdings said is confident that an IPO “at this time is the best path to unlock significant value for company’s shareholders and position SEI for accelerated growth.”
The plan will see the creation of two independent public companies, while maintaining synergies parent company which will retain a majority share of SEI.
“An independent SEI will have increased financial flexibility and greater decision-making autonomy to capitalize on its market leadership as the largest convenience store chain in the attractive North American market with strong brand recognition and best-in-class digital offering in the industry. SEI is expected to re-rate its valuation in line with North American convenience store peers. In addition, by enhancing value distribution using IPO proceeds to fund share buybacks, the company believes an IPO is the best path forward to maximize value for shareholders, at this time.”
Seven & i Holdings also announced that its board has resolved to enter into an agreement to sell the Superstore Business Group to a Bain Capital owned special purpose company for JPY 814.7 billion (US5.37billion), while rolling over 35% of equity holdings. The transaction is expected to close in September 2025.
