Despite Middle East crisis, 7-Eleven on track with 5,000th store

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April 14, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC), the exclusive licensee of convenience store giant 7-Eleven in the Philippines, remains on aggressive expansion mode despite risks presented by ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

The company is targeting to add over 500 branches to its nationwide network this year, putting it on track to hit its 5,000th store milestone.

“Looking ahead, PSC is firm in opening more than 500 new stores in 2026,” it said in a report.

PSC said its expansion efforts would be guided by a strategic market development plan designed to meet evolving consumer preferences for innovation, accessibility and convenience.

“The network expansion proceeds despite ongoing geopolitical tensions overseas, which has driven higher global oil prices and added inflationary pressure,” it said.

PSC operated a total of 4,491 stores nationwide as of end 2025, 53 percent of which are company-owned, while 47 percent are franchise-operated.

During the year, the company opened 423 new stores and closed 62, resulting in a net increase of 361 stores.

Its expansion outside Metro Manila also accelerated last year, reflecting evolving consumer behavior and increasing opportunities in provincial markets.

PSC said its expansion pipeline remains strong, with over 250 stores in various stages of development.

“The company’s objective is to reach 5,000 stores by the end of 2026, supported by an improving business environment and continued efforts to make its products more affordable to its target market,” the company said.

PSC achieved its 3,000th store milestone in June 2021 and reached the 4,000th store mark in October 2024.

As the operator of the largest convenience store network in the Philippines, the company has also strengthened its position as a trusted provider of payment solutions amid the continued shift toward digital payments.

7-Eleven has become a preferred destination for customers’ everyday financial service needs by leveraging the proximity of its network.

To further enhance its service capabilities, PSC has partnered with Pito AXM Platform Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Seven Bank of Japan for the deployment of state-of-the-art cash recycler ATMs.

As of end-2025, the ATMs are installed in 3,903 branches, representing 87 percent of the total store network.

The company said it continues to expand deployment, particularly in underserved communities to support financial inclusion.

Last year, Jose Victor Paterno formally assumed the role of chairman of the board of PSC, succeeding Jose Pardo, who has taken on the role of chair emeritus and member of the advisory board.

Meanwhile, PSC’s longtime chief of operations, Richard Lee, has stepped into the role of president.