7-Eleven Names Former Dr Pepper Executive CEO

Seven & i Holdings has named Mauricio Leyva as CEO of 7-Eleven's North American business, effective August 1. Leyva spent four years as group president of Keurig Dr Pepper and previously ran Grupo LALA and Grupo Modelo, giving him two decades of experience scaling consumer brands and convenience retail. He succeeds outgoing leadership as part of Seven & i's broader North Star transformation program.

Why a Beverage Executive, Not a Retail Lifer

Leyva's background is consumer packaged goods and beverage distribution rather than convenience retail, a signal that Seven & i wants outside perspective on pricing, supply chain and brand strategy rather than more of the same playbook. His experience building Modelorama, one of Mexico's largest convenience chains, suggests the board sees him as someone who understands both franchise-style store networks and consumer brand building.

What Franchisees Should Expect Next

7-Eleven's roughly 13,000 franchised US locations operate under a business model that has faced scrutiny over royalty structures and franchisee profitability in recent years. A new CEO focused on elevating the customer experience and strengthening the store network often means renewed attention to store remodels, private-label expansion and technology investment, all areas where franchisees typically absorb a share of the cost.

A High-Profile Test Case

With 7-Eleven approaching its 100th anniversary next year, Leyva inherits one of the largest franchise systems in the world at a moment when convenience retail is under pressure from dollar stores, quick-service drive-thrus and delivery apps eating into traditional c-store traffic. How he balances brand modernization with franchisee economics will be closely watched across the broader convenience and retail franchise sector.