May 2015 - About FOAC

MAY 2015
7-ELEVEN FRANCHISE OWNERS ASSOCIATION OF CHICAGOLAND
By Hashim Syed, FOAC Vice President and Vice Chairman of the NCASEF
I’ve been in the 7-Eleven system for a very long
time and I’ve seen my share of ups
and downs.
As the Vice President
of the FOAC and Vice Chairman of the National
Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees
(NCASEF), I am very aware of the activities of other
7-Eleven FOAs throughout the country and how they
run their associations. I can honestly say that most of
them, without a doubt, truly care about their franchisees
and want to do what’s best to help them succeed.
Unfortunately, this isn’t true for all 7-Eleven FOAs…
In recent years, I’ve seen, first-hand, what can happen when
franchisees decide to break away from the existing FOA in order
to start their own association. And, I can tell you, it’s not good. It’s
not good for the original FOA, it’s not good for the newly formed
FOA, and it’s definitely not good for the franchisees. Not only does
it create fragmentation and division on a local level, but the ripple
effect is felt nationally as well.
Then why do they do it?
I’ll tell you why. In most cases,
these are individuals who, for
one reason or another, believe
that they have been wronged
or mistreated by the FOA that
they belonged to. Typically, their
feelings somehow got hurt and for
their own selfish reasons, they decide
to form an association of their own so they can have complete
control and power.
Believe me, these
individuals don’t
care at all about
the franchisees or the
negative impact of their
decisions. All they want to do
is satisfy their self-serving
motives and extremely large egos. It’s a very sad
and unfortunate situation.
From my personal experience, things
escalate quickly and get very ugly when
an existing FOA breaks up and the two
groups get into dirty politics and finger
pointing. Not only is it upsetting and
disruptive to the franchisees, but it also
effects the vendors.
Our vendor partners want to support all
FOAs, but there’s only so much they can do with
their limited funds. The formation of new FOAs creates
frustration for the vendors and unnecessary financial
challenges. They’re not happy having to choose one
FOA over another. It’s simply not fair to put them in
this position, but that’s what the leaders of these newly
formed FOAs are doing.
Having seen this time and time again, there is growing concern
about the requirements necessary to form a new franchise owners
association.
In my opinion, there is
an immediate need to revise our
by-laws to stop, or at the very least, slow
down, the creation of new FOAs. They seem to
be popping up all over, and to be honest it’s getting
out of hand and absolutely ridiculous. Especially due to the
self-serving reasons behind them.
Now, to be fair, not all FOAs are formed by disgruntled
franchisees. In some cases, franchisees have
complained that meetings are too far away and that
it’s difficult to participate. But, rather than starting
a new FOA to accommodate these individuals, a
smarter solution would be for the FOA leadership
to plan meetings in various locations each month,
making it easier for all members to attend; exactly like
SEI does for market meetings. Distance alone should not
be a reason to form a new FOA!
I firmly believe that now is the time for the NCASEF leaders to take
a stand and do what’s right for the sake of our NCASEF and the
franchisees it represents.
Our current leadership is fully aware of the urgent need to send a
powerful and clear message that unity is a priority! We must put an
end to the formation of new FOAs and put stronger policies in place
to discourage franchisees from doing so. The cycle of division and
fragmentation needs to end now. The best interest of the franchisee
community must come first. I only hope that it’s not too late…
RSVP Today for the FOAC’s 2nd ANNUAL FAMILY PICNIC!
Enough ordering, cleaning and stocking shelves! It’s time to take a break and have some fun! All 7-Eleven franchisees, managers,
staff members, families and friends are invited to attend the FOAC’s 2nd annual family picnic on Saturday, June 13th. Please see
page 3 for all the details. Save the date and join us for an afternoon of food, drinks, games and much, much more!
SEI Awards Stores
To Top Contestants!
All Three Military
Veteran Finalists Were
Selected as Winners
Instead of selecting just one winner in its Operation: Take Command franchise giveaway contest for veterans,
SEI awarded a 7-Eleven store to each of the three finalists. From left, U.S. Navy veteran Mark Anthony Page,
Active-duty U.S. Army Captain Robert Kemna and U.S. Army veteran Salil Gautam.
SEI did something quite unexpected in Operation: Take Command, the
contest they created to award a U.S. military veteran a 7-Eleven store.
Although one finalist was expected to emerge as the winner in the last
round of the competition, all three finalists were selected!
Earlier this month, SEI announced that Active Duty U.S. Army Captain
Robert Kemna of Miami (currently stationed at Fort Bragg, NC), Army
veteran Salil Gautam of Chesapeake, Virginia and U.S. Navy veteran Mark
Anthony Page of Granbury, Texas, will all become business-owners of their
own 7-Eleven franchise.
As the last step in the almost six-month long contest, the three finalists
interviewed with 7-Eleven President and CEO Joe DePinto, an Army veteran
himself. He was so impressed by the caliber of the three Operation: Take
Command finalists that DePinto made an on-the-spot executive decision.
“How can you choose just one winner when you have three?” DePinto
asked. “I was extremely impressed by each one of them for overcoming
adversity, serving their country selflessly, having a heart for service, and
demonstrating outstanding leadership qualities,” he said. “These are the
kind of folks we want in the 7-Eleven system. They are all too deserving
not to win.”
As contest winners, each veteran will receive a waiver of the franchise
fee, valued at up to $190,000, to franchise any of the company’s 7-Eleven
convenience stores available in the continental U.S.
More than 1,700 veterans and soon-to-be vets from all branches of
military service applied for the competition that ran from Veterans Day
last November through January 25, 2015. Some 300 were qualified and
from those, 10 were selected for the video competition whereby the
public could vote for their favorite, resulting in the three finalists chosen.
“7-Eleven is a franchise-centric company focused on how we can best
support our franchisees,” DePinto added. “We are proud of our independent
franchise business-owners who love
Brand 7-Eleven and tirelessly serve the
customers in their communities every
day,” he continued. “I look forward
to welcoming these three new
franchisees to the 7-Eleven family.”
More About the Winners:
Salil Gautam of Chesapeake, Virginia
Gautam joined the Army just a year after he moved to the United States and served
for 4.5 years, with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. “I wanted to give back to the
country that had done so much for me.” Before enlisting, the Nepal native’s first job was
with a 7-Eleven store in northern California. After leaving the Army in 2011, he used the
leadership skills and work ethic learned in the military to establish a small corporation,
and turn a failing gas station and convenience store into profitable businesses. As a
franchisee, his goals include mentoring and telling other veterans about the business
opportunities 7-Eleven offers.
Mark Anthony Page of Granbury, Texas
After a tough start in life that included two years in foster care, Page moved in with
his grandmother who had 16 children of her own. Page said he enlisted just days after
graduating from high school, seeing it both as a way out and a way up. He served in
active and reserve duty with the Navy. While in the reserves, Page attended college,
earning a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s in education. He taught
and coached in secondary schools before taking a position that required him to be
away from his home and family. Believing a 7-Eleven franchise could be the ticket to be
closer to home, Page heard about the Operation: Take Command contest and entered.
“Winning was unbelievable,” said Page. “This is life-changing.”
Robert Kemna of Miami, Florida
Born in Iowa, with military assignments around the world, Capt. Kemna said he is
ready to settle down in Miami when he transitions from active duty this fall. After all,
that’s where his wife, Liliana, lives. The newlyweds, who were married in January, have
lived apart since their wedding, with Kemna currently serving at Fort Bragg, N.C. He
has 15 years of service in the Army Reserve, 10 of those on active duty, including one
tour in Afghanistan. When he began looking for civilian jobs to pursue after completing
his service, the decorated captain found that his officer status and management skills
did not guarantee him the same level position in the private sector. “I knew I didn’t
want to start over with an entry-level job,” Kemna said. “I Googled military-friendly
franchisors and 7-Eleven was at the top of every list. I found out about the Operation:
Take Command contest right before the deadline to enter and barely got my paperwork
in after my wedding and honeymoon!”
Come One, Come All! It’s Time for the 2nd Annual
Family Picnic!
Saturday, June 13th
EVERYONE IS INVITED!
Franchisees, Store Managers, Employees, Family Members and Close Friends!
Ready for Some Fun? RSVP Today!
Saturday, June 13th • 11 am to 6 pm
Busse Woods • Grove Lot 18 • Elk Grove Village
Take time to relax with your friends and
family. We will have plenty of food, drinks,
games, raffle prizes and much, much more!
This is a WHOLE FAMILY event.
Everyone is welcome!
• Face Painting
• DJ Entertainment
• Cotton Candy
• Snow Cones
• Volleyball
• Baggo
• Inflatables
Your Kids will
have a GREAT time
and so will you!
We Look Forward to Seeing You!
We are expecting a large turnout, so your RSVP is required. Please email the FOAC at FOAChicago@gmail.com
with your name, store number and number of attendees. Please take note. Each store is allowed 4 guests at
no charge (i.e. if a franchisee has 3 stores, he or she can bring 12 people for free). Each additional guest will
be charged $20, but there is no charge for kids 10 and under. Payment can be made at the picnic.
For more information, please contact
Ken Patel: 847-353-9999
Nick Patel: 630-479-5636
Nizar Ladhani: 773-908-9322
FOAC MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS
- THE 4TH THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH -
4 Thursday, June 18th * 4 Thursday, September 17th
4 Thursday, August 20th 4 Thursday, October 22nd
Please take note, there is no Board Meeting in July.
Holiday Inn North Shore - 5300 W. Touhy Avenue • Skokie, Illinois
10:00 am – 4:00 pm • Lunch will be served.
Message from
Mike Scales
Zone Leader,
Team Heartland
As we all know, last month’s
earthquake in Nepal has been devastating and the whole world has watched it unfold.
Significant humanitarian aid is needed immediately and thanks to the franchisees in our
zone, we have collaborated to come up with the following Nepal Earthquake Relief Plan:
* Please take note that the June 18th meeting will take place at:
MillerCoors - 250 S. Wacker Drive • Chicago, IL 60606
An immediate $10,000 corporate contribution has been made to the American Red
Cross International Relief Fund to support Nepal Earthquake Relief. We are also offering a
company match opportunity to support franchisees who have expressed a desire to provide
humanitarian aid as follows:
When is the last time you attended a 7-Eleven FOAC board meeting?
If you can’t remember, then it must have been a very long time ago!
Franchisees who make a personal donation to the American Red Cross can submit their
receipt for a 1:1 company match (Funding: 50% SSC/50% Zone). We also hope to raise funds
in our stores via the canister program.
If you would like to be more “in the know,” make more money, learn from your fellow franchisees,
and grow your business, then we encourage you to make the commitment to attend our monthly
board meetings, which are usually the fourth Thursday of each and every month. Not only will you
have an opportunity to network with top vendors and other franchisees, but you will also gain
valuable information that will help you succeed. Lunch is served for all attendees.
Franchisees, it’s very important that receipts from the Red Cross are retained and submitted
to your Field Consultants after donations are made so we can earn the match to the Red Cross.
FOAC membership is not required in order for you to join us for the meetings, but you must RSVP
to FOAChicago@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Come see for yourself what the FOAC is all about and learn what we are doing to support each
other’s goals and objectives. Board meetings are also a forum where you can freely express any
concerns you may have about your store. We look forward to seeing you!
Other Important Dates
Please Add These Events to Your Calendar!
Thank you for your ongoing partnership and collaboration on this effort!
FOAC Feedback Matters!
B.W. Cooper’s Will Offer
a $10 Discount on Papaya
Mango Iced Tea
Franchisees who attended the most recent FOAC
General Meeting were some of the first people to taste B.W. Cooper’s
Papaya Mango Green Tea, a new, all-natural iced tea offering for the fountain.
Everyone loved the blend of natural papaya and mango flavors in the iced green tea,
saying it clearly tasted like a more premium product. They could easily tell that it doesn’t
have any preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial flavors. This type of noncarbonated beverage, with better ingredients, is definitely the wave of the future for
fountains, especially with younger millennial generation customers. Many 7-Eleven
stores nationwide already carry B.W. Cooper’s Organic, All-Natural Unsweet Tea, and the
company is thrilled to have Chicagoland be the first in line to order this new flavor!
2nd Annual Family Picnic - Saturday, June 13th
Busse Woods - Grove Lot 18 • Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Charity Golf Outing with the National Coalition
Wednesday, July 29th
St. Andrew’s Golf & Country Club • West Chicago, Illinois
National Trade Show - Thursday, July 30th and Friday, July31st at Navy Pier
The FOAC Joins Forces with the NCASEF!
National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchise Franchisees
Holiday Trade Show and Party - Friday, November 6th
Holiday Inn North Shore - 5300 W. Touhy Avenue • Skokie, Illinois
At the meeting, FOAC board members gave some advice on how to best launch the product
in a way that meets franchisee needs. Based on that feedback, the company is offering a
“$10 Off” promotion on B.W. Cooper’s Papaya Mango Green Tea Bag-in-Box now through
June 11, 2015. Order today to take advantage of this discount and stock up for summer!
See our ad on page 7 for all the details.
Wirtz Beverage Wine Summit
Earlier this month, Wirtz Beverage hosted a Wine Summit for the franchisees of the Heartland
Zone. Over 300 people attended the event, which took place at the Wirtz Beverage offices in
Cicero, Illinois. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the growing wine and liquor category
and share information to help franchisees improve their assortment and generate greater sales.
Feedback from the franchisees regarding this meeting was overwhelmingly positive. “For too
long, we have been treated as independents when it comes to purchasing,” said Pinak Patel, a
member of the FOAC Board of Directors. “We are finally getting case 1 pricing for a majority of
the SKUs, which will help lower inventory, raise margins, and most importantly help move the
product more quickly,”he adds. “It was a very informative and beneficial meeting.”
Andrew Distribution
P.O. Box 1099
Melrose Park, IL 60160
Don't forget to RSVP for the FOAC's 2nd Annual
Picnic by emailing FOAChicago@gmail.com with
your name, store number and number of guests.
We look forward to seeing you!
• FOAC Newsletter Editorial Contacts •
Editor: Alisa Bay
847-266-9053 • alisabay@comcast.net
Planner/Art Director: Hashim Syed
847-293-8551 • hj.syed@gmail.com
The FOAC newsletter is designed and printed by Semper Fi Printing & Promotions, LLC located in Arlington Heights, IL
www.foachicago.com • Telephone: 847-353-9999 • Fax Number: 877-387-FOAC (3622) • Email: FOAChicago@gmail.com
Please call the FOAC Hotline at 847-293-8551 with any problems that require immediate assistance.
Congratulations to
Jeff Schenck
SEI’s New VP, Franchise Relations
A Message from Joe Galea
Chairman, NCASEF
Fellow Franchisees!
The FOAC extends its heartfelt congratulations to Jeff Schenck, who agreed to re-join SEI in a newly created
position of VP, Franchise Relations. As you may recall, Jeff served in leadership roles in Operations and
Franchise during his 35-year career at 7-Eleven. He retired as the Senior Vice President of Franchise and Real
Estate in 2011 and was a good friend and strong supporter of our FOAC. Jeff’s start date was May 1st and
he will be reporting to Greg Franks, VP Franchise Systems. Welcome back, Jeff! We wish you the very best.
The National Coalition is celebrating its 40th birthday, and we need you to help celebrate!
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In 1975, when sixty franchisees incorporated as the Convenience Stores Franchise Association, little did
they know that 40 years later their creation would still be serving franchisees of the 7-Eleven brand.
The faces have changed, the stores and the products have changed, but franchisees still have the need to
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The National Coalition, with its 42 Franchise Owner’s Associations, represents the interests of all 6,300
franchised stores in the 30 states in which 7-Eleven operates.
Come join fellow franchisees, vendors and FOA leaders in two of Chicago’s premiere locations, the
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After 40 years we must be doing something right! I look forward to seeing you at the show Monday, July
27th through Friday, July 31st.
For more information and to register,
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Accessories a winning combination for your next store purchase. Don’t miss this limited opportunity to
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FOAC Administrative Assistant at FOAChicago@gmail.com.
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