February 28, 2020
A new-age, 10,000 square-foot 7-Eleven convenience store is opening in San Diego next month and it will house an in-store fast-casual taco shop with handmade tortillas, a craft beer growler fill-station, self-serve frozen treats, and a specialty drink bar.
7-Eleven opened its first next generation "evolution store" in Dallas last spring and announced this week two new locations - Washington D.C. and San Diego's Normal Heights neighborhood. One of the most exciting aspects of the new 7-Eleven Evolution Store is the in-house fast-casual restaurant called Laredo Taco Company, which makes handmade flour tortillas daily and offers all-day options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a fresh salsa bar. The taqueria was acquired along with Stripes convenience stores in South Texas as part of a 1,000 store acquisition from Suncoco in 2018. Tacos include specialties such as barbacoa, chorizo, carne asada, carnitas and breakfast tacos made with fresh-cracked eggs. The menu also includes an array of plates.
"7-Eleven's mission is to give convenience customers what they want, when and where they want it," said 7-Eleven President and Chief Executive Officer Joe DePinto. "Our evolution stores bring outstanding innovation to life through new food and beverage platforms as well as through digital experiences."
The San Diego Evolution Store will house an alcohol section dubbed 'The Cellar,' which will include a variety of wines and craft beers, as well as a growler fill station featuring a rotating selection of area craft beer, hard kombucha, and cider on tap. The market will also have a fresh-baked display with cookies, croissants and pastries cooked in store daily. Another highlight of the new store is a made-to-order specialty drink counter with espresso drinks, tea, cold brew, kombucha, nitro cold brew, flavored beverages, smoothies, and agua frescas, all accessible through touch-screen machine ordering systems. There will also be a cold treats machine with multiple frozen yogurt and ice cream options that can be swirled to create new flavors complimented by an array of topping choices. In addition to new food items, the contemporary 7-Eleven will sell an assortment of exclusive products, services and features customized to the neighborhood. As an added convenience, customers will be able to skip the checkout line and pay for purchases with the 7-Eleven mobile app. The Normal Heights location is also expected to have a small outdoor patio where patrons can enjoy their food and drink.
The new 10,000 square-foot 7-Eleven Evolution Store will open this spring at 3504 El Cajon Boulevard in San Diego's Normal Heights. For more information, visit
7-eleven.com and check out the video of the Washington D.C. store below.
