Japan’s Seven & i Holdings, operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores, has unveiled a comprehensive restructuring plan to enhance shareholder value as the company names its new CEO and implements significant capital and business initiatives.
The company has appointed Stephen Hayes Dacus, currently serving as chairman of the board, as its new CEO to expedite the execution of strategic priorities.
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He will take over as president and representative director and CEO on 27 May 2025, replacing Ryuichi Isaka.
Isaka stated: “The group is executing key actions that are concrete, actionable and value-accretive. We have been on a journey to explore opportunities that create the most value for our shareholders and enhance our customers’ experiences around the world. This is the right time to move these initiatives forward, and the management team is excited to execute our transformation strategy while remaining focused on identifying avenues to continue driving shareholder value.”
In a strategic move to streamline operations, Seven & i recently agreed to divest its superstore division to Bain Capital for 814.7bn yen ($5.50bn) and reduce its stake in Seven Bank to below 40%. The completion of this transaction is set for September 2025.
The company plans to repurchase shares worth 2 trillion yen by the fiscal year 2030.
It also aims to list its 7-Eleven convenience store business in North America on a major US stock exchange by the latter half of 2026.
The move is expected to unlock shareholder value and bolster SEI’s growth potential while maintaining operational synergies as Seven & i retains majority ownership post its initial public offering (IPO).
Seven & i’s special committee remains committed to ongoing discussions with Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT) to ascertain the possibility of reaching a feasible and concrete solution, including a package for divestitures.
Dacus stated: “The special committee has been committed to exploring all value creation opportunities, including active and constructive engagement with ACT and will continue to do so.”
In February 2025, Seven & i Holdings disclosed that its founding Ito family failed to obtain the necessary financing to propose a management buyout valued at $58bn.
In October 2024, Couche-Tard increased its acquisition offer for Seven & i to $47.2bn. The move came after its preliminary proposal valuing each share at $14.86 was turned down.
