Core Insights - 7-ELEVEn is facing significant challenges, marking the first comprehensive adjustment to its franchise contracts in 50 years, reflecting deep-seated anxieties within the company [3][4][9] Financial Performance - 7&i Holdings reported a total revenue of 265.6 billion yen for the first half of fiscal year 2025, a year-on-year decline of 6.9%, while operating profit increased by 11.4% to 9.86 billion yen, and net profit surged by 133.1% to 5.77 billion yen [5] - The Japanese 7-ELEVEn business generated revenue of 21.87 billion yen, remaining flat year-on-year, with operating profit down 4.6% to 5.76 billion yen [5] - Overseas 7-ELEVEn operations reported revenue of 199.6 billion yen, a decline of 8.5%, but operating profit grew by 9.3% to 3.79 billion yen [5][7] Market Dynamics - The revenue decline is attributed to falling oil prices in the North American market, while profit growth is driven by restructuring efforts in the supermarket sector and strong performance in the food segment overseas [7] - The Japanese convenience store sector is experiencing structural fatigue, with inflation leading consumers to seek lower prices, impacting foot traffic in convenience stores [8] Franchise System Changes - Starting from fiscal year 2027, 7-ELEVEn plans to offer a maximum of five years of reduced franchise fees for new store openings, marking the first major change to franchise contracts since 1974 [9][10] - The current franchise fee structure, which can be as high as 60% of gross profit for new stores within the first five years, is seen as burdensome by many franchisees [10] Shift to Multi-Store Operations - 7-ELEVEn aims to encourage franchisees to transition from single-store operations to multi-store management, which is believed to enhance efficiency and reduce costs [10][14] - Competitors like Lawson and FamilyMart have successfully adopted multi-store models, with a significant proportion of their stores managed by franchisees operating multiple locations [13] Strategic Initiatives - The company is also exploring technological advancements, such as self-checkout systems, and is enhancing its product offerings with a focus on ready-to-eat food items [15] - A new brand concept is being developed to emphasize emotional value and consumer enjoyment, moving away from a sole focus on product quality [15][16]