7-Eleven Holds School at Richmond

RICHMOND, Va. -- The "University of 7-Eleven" held a daylong event at the Richmond Convention Center yesterday that included food and drink sampling, informational seminars and 7-Eleven merchandise education, reported the Richmond, Va.-based Times Dispatcher.

Richmond was the fifth of eight U.S. schools this year held by Dallas-based 7-Eleven Inc.

"This isn't a trade show," said company spokeswoman Margaret Chabris. Instead, the day educated 1,600 store managers, franchisees and employees from North Carolina to southern Maryland on products and services the company offers.

Even if the day was about learning, the most popular hangout was the sampling area, where attendees could taste roughly 100 new products to appear soon in 7-Elevens.

Associates gobbled up samples of candy, sandwiches, chips, desserts, beer and the ever-popular Slurpee. They also graded new products, according to the Dispatcher.

A full-size 7-Eleven store was the centerpiece of the event, showcasing how new seasonal products will be displayed.

The company has three distribution centers in Virginia: in Springfield, Chesapeake and Richmond. They cater to the roughly 700 Virginia 7-Eleven stores. In addition, two bakeries in the state ship to stores.

In keeping with the college tradition, alcoholic drinks were also available. Aspen Edge, Coors Brewing Co.'s answer to Anheuser-Busch Inc.'s low-carb Michelob Ultra, was available for taste. The beer contains 2.6 grams of carbohydrates -- the same as its competitor -- and will go on sale at 7-Eleven stores on Monday.

7-Eleven has more than 25,000 stores in 19 countries, with 5,300 stores in the United States. The Richmond event attracted the most students to date, Chabris told the Dispatcher.