Haha!

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Good question.

Just under a year ago the news reported that 7-11 was in negotiations with local Israeli companies to open a chain of their stores in Israel.

Very exciting news, especially for American expats (though 7-11 is in many countries, so maybe it is exciting for expats of some other countries as well). 

Calcalist is reporting now that the contract has been signed and 7-11 is making aliyah! 

According to the report, Electra Consumer Products has signed with them to open the chain in Israel, starting with several stores in Tel Aviv by next summer and committing to spend 60 million shekels over the next few years in marketing and opening new stores around Israel. The agreement between 7-11 and Electra is for 20 years with an option to extend for another 50. they really plan ahead long term!

Electra has announced that it will keep the stores closed on Shabbos. Not even location dependent, with stores in more religious areas staying closed while stores in less religious areas stay open - they will be closing them all on Shabbos (at least as of now).

I guess it at least makes sense in Israel for 7-11 to get locks on the doors - for Shabbos.

Another question for the Israeli division of 7-11, that might not be resolved quite as easily, is will free slurpee day be on November 7 or July 11? 7-11 in Israel is November 7, but the global corporation celebrates it on July 11, so it can go either way.

And if they are planning to close on Shabbos, I think it is safe to assume that they will also be kosher.

First World Problems, as they say. I'll just wait for my slurpee.

Interestingly, the chain would be brought in, if it works out, by a fashion group and a electrical goods chain, rather than by a corporation in the food industry. Not that it makes much of a difference to us, the average consumer.

Either way, they are in negotiations and looking to sign a memorandum of understanding which will then open negotiations on exactly how the Israeli franchise will work. 

While most products sold in 7-11 shops are packaged goods, and the merchandise sold will likely mostly not be special imported products that are sold in the USA chain but will largely be products already available in Israel, some of the things I wonder about would be the slurpees, the fresh sandwiches (and hotdogs) many branches of 7-11 sell, and the opening hours. 

Obviously slurpees would be a big thing here, the question is if they will have them or not. Maybe Freezee could enter the 7-11 market if 7-11 won't bring in the actual Slurpee brand.

Regarding the fresh sandwiches and hotdogs, kashrut would be a question, but hopefully at least in areas with high percentages of kosher-eating populations they would sell a variety of good quality kosher dogs and other meats and sandwiches, along with maybe other kosher foods similar to the 7-11 in Monsey that sells knishes and cholent and other Jewish delicacies.

And, opening hours. 7-11 is known to be open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Obviously that would not work in Israel, for the most part. At least on Yom Kippur they would have to close, but Shabbos would also be a big issue. Even if they decide to close the stores on Shabbos in more religious areas, many religious people might not want to patronize the stores knowing that some of the stores are mechalel shabbos even if this specific one is not. That has been an issue with other chains, and I don't see why it wouldn't necessarily be with this one as well. We'll have to see how this plays out.

And, perhaps lastly, what about 7-11 day? Would it be on November 7 or on July 11 (like in the USA)? If they give out free slurpees, assuming they sell slurpees, for the day, we very well might bankrupt them - this is a country of people that love to take advantage of such deals!

What products would you most look forward to, should 7-11 actually end up opening here? And what would be your biggest concerns besides those already mentioned?