Seven & i Holdings, the Japanese parent company of 7-Eleven, has officially named Stephen Dacus as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. The move, confirmed at the company’s recent annual board meeting, marks a significant shift in leadership and strategy as Dacus replaces outgoing CEO Ryuichi Isaka.
Dacus, 64, is the first non-Japanese CEO in the company’s history. His appointment comes at a transformative moment for Seven & i, which is currently evaluating a takeover proposal from Canadian convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard. At the same time, the company is preparing to take its North American 7-Eleven division public through an initial public offering (IPO) planned for 2026.
Dacus brings over two decades of executive experience to the role, with a strong background in retail and foodservice. He joined Seven & i in 2022 as an external board member. In 2024, he was appointed lead independent director and later served as chairman of the board. He also led the company’s strategic and special committees, overseeing key discussions around the potential acquisition offer.
Prior to his tenure at Seven & i, Dacus held senior leadership roles across several global firms. His career includes time as CEO of MasterFoods, a major condiment manufacturer, and more than eight years at Walmart, where he served as Senior Vice President and CEO of Walmart Japan Holdings. He also led the pan-Asian food company Hana Group SAS as CEO.
Dacus’s ties to 7-Eleven go back to his childhood. Growing up in the United States, he worked in his father’s franchise store, gaining first-hand insight into the business from an early age. This longstanding connection to the brand has shaped his leadership perspective and strategic vision for the company.
A core part of Dacus’s strategy for 7-Eleven involves a renewed focus on foodservice innovation, particularly in the U.S. market. The company is currently executing a three-year growth plan to launch more than 600 new stores across the country. These new locations will feature expanded food and beverage offerings, broader product selections, and indoor seating areas to enhance the customer experience.
Dacus aims to build on 7-Eleven’s food credentials by introducing popular items from its Japanese stores into North American outlets. The company is collaborating with Japanese suppliers to achieve this, and it is also investing in made-to-order food options to increase customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. With consumer preferences evolving rapidly, Dacus sees food as a critical area of opportunity and competitive advantage.
In addition to strengthening operations in the U.S., international growth remains high on the agenda. While 7-Eleven operates roughly 85,000 stores in about 20 countries, Dacus believes there is untapped potential in many parts of the world. He has signalled intentions to accelerate the brand’s expansion outside its two main markets — Japan and North America.
Europe is one region where growth is expected. Currently, 7-Eleven has a presence only in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Expanding into other European markets, as well as select regions in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, forms a key pillar of the company’s long-term growth strategy.
Seven & i has set an ambitious target: reaching 100,000 stores across 30 countries by 2030. This goal will require careful planning, investment in local partnerships, and a deep understanding of regional consumer behaviour. Dacus is expected to lead the charge with a blend of operational experience and global retail expertise.
As the company moves forward, Dacus’s leadership signals a new era for Seven & i. With food innovation at the forefront and aggressive global expansion in motion, the business is positioning itself for substantial growth. The combination of strategic market moves and a customer-first approach is central to its evolution from a dominant regional retailer to a global powerhouse.
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