7-Eleven has embarked on a major growth plan including opening some 250 stores in the U.S. and Canada this year after opening more than 200 stores in 2009. In addition, 7-Eleven is providing more franchise opportunities through its Business Conversion Program, whereby the company invites qualified owners of mom-and-pop convenience stores or other small retail outlets to rebrand their operations as a 7-Eleven store. There are now 180 of these conversions in the U.S. since the program started in 2005.