7-Eleven Tackles Wilson Farms Rebranding in Buffalo First

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- 7-Eleven Inc. is following a clearly laid-out plan to renovate the 188 New York Wilson Farms Neighborhood Food Stores it purchased in June 2011, according to a report by Newzjunky.com. The stores operate under both the Wilson Farms and Sugar Creek banners.

The Dallas-based convenience store chain is focused on converting stores in the Buffalo, N.Y., market first, Margaret Chabris, 7-Eleven's spokesperson, told the news outlet. "That's where we have a concentration of stores plus our own stores, so we're doing a little bit of upgrading on our existing stores and doing some remodeling and converting [of] Wilson Farms stores there," she said.

The renovations began in the fall. To date, nine Wilson Farms stores have been converted to the 7-Eleven brand, the report noted. With 179 stores left to complete, Chabris said it is impossible at this time to provide a completion date for the renovations.

"There's a lot of work to do when you've got 188 store acquisitions, so I can't tell you a timeframe for Buffalo or eastern New York," she said. "You have everything from the retail information system to equipment and product selection, especially when you're trying to marry the best of both companies." Once the Buffalo renovations are done, 7-Eleven plans to shift its focus to the Rochester, N.Y., market next.

"We're working on several others that will be converted in March," Chabris said.

The third step in the process will be to restructure the stores in the section of New York known as the North Country, which includes Watertown and Potsdam. Many of the Sugar Creek-branded stores are located in this region.

Once renovated, customers visiting the stores can expect to see many 7-Eleven staples, including Slurpee and Big Gulp beverages.