7-11 Franchise Avoidance Guide: 5 Key Pitfalls You Should Watch Out For in 2025

In 2025, Taiwan's chain convenience store market will remain prosperous, and the "7-11 franchise" craze will continue, attracting many entrepreneurs to invest. However, behind the brand halo and the myth of high returns, the reality of actual operations often makes many franchisees cry out that they can't bear it. Based on comprehensive analysis of "Industry Survey", "Entrepreneurs' Experience Sharing" and "2025 Franchise White Paper", we have compiled the five most overlooked and easiest key traps for 7-11 franchising in 2025, and provide you with an in-depth news-style analysis that you must read before joining.

7-11 Franchise Status and Industry Analysis

Industrial economic scale and competitive status

According to the latest market report, there are more than 10,000 chain convenience stores in Taiwan, among which 7-11 holds the leading position with a market share of 47%.The number of 7-11 stores in Taiwan will exceed 6,600 by 2024. As large companies are promoting digital transformation and service diversification, franchisees are facing increasing competitive pressure. According to the "2025 Franchise White Paper", the average payback time for new franchisees has been extended to 3.7 years.

5 key traps: Be careful before joining 7-11

1. Profits are overstated, actual profits are discounted

Many 7-11 franchisees are often attracted by the high sales volume officially advertised, but ignore the huge gap between actual revenue and net profit. According to a field survey in 2024, the average monthly revenue of a single store is 650,000 yuan, but after deducting various costs such as labor, rent, consumables, and equipment amortization,The actual net profit is only about 30,000 to 60,000 yuan, sometimes even lower than other retail formats in the same area.

Important reminder:
Before joining, you should carefully calculate the operating costs and never just believe the "revenue figures". It is recommended to visit the operating franchise stores in person and ask the local franchise owners about the actual business conditions.

2. The contract conditions are strict and it is difficult to exit

7-11 franchise contract specifications are detailed, butThe exit threshold is high and the cost of default cannot be ignored.
If you want to terminate the contract early due to poor operation or personal reasons, you often need to payHigh liquidated damages, decoration restoration costs and loss of unrecovered equipment.At the same time, some restrictions on the return of premiums and deposits make it difficult for franchisees to close stores.

Example reminder:
Some business owners reported that in 2024, franchisees in a certain county or city had to pay more than 250,000 yuan in decoration restoration fees and 60,000 yuan in contract termination fees, but after two years of operation, they only got back less than half of the deposit.

3. Man-hours and labor pressure far exceeded expectations

Running a 7-11 is not just about being a boss or a cashier.In fact, franchisees and their families need to work long shifts and undertake high-intensity labor such as replenishing stock, inventory, cleaning, cashier, and inventory management.
Especially when it is difficult to dispatch manpower for the night shift, franchisees often have to do it themselves. Once an employee leaves the job temporarily, the manpower gap can only be filled by his family or himself, forming a vicious cycle.

Important reminder:
Never think that you can become a "hands-off manager" after investing. Most franchisees and their families need to engage in physical labor for more than 10 hours a day, making it difficult to balance other careers and family.

4. Replenishment policy, high pressure on main items, inventory loss is at your own risk

7-11 headquarters regularly requires stores to promote new products and even forces them to stock the products. Most of the losses caused by unsold goods are still borne by the franchisees. For example, short-lived products such as convenience store sandwiches, freshly brewed coffee, bento boxes, and fresh fruits are very easy to sell out but difficult to return, resulting in invisible losses.Many franchisees over-optimistically estimate sales, which puts them under heavy inventory pressure and ultimately results in losses.

5. The characteristics of a place and a business district are easily overlooked; a single indicator cannot guarantee success

The business performance of each store is greatly affected by the business district conditions, nearby competitors and population structure. Even if they are all 7-11 stores, the difference in sales and profits between cities, towns, tourist areas, university areas, and residential areas can be as much as 5 times.
Failure to conduct detailed regional market research and entering the market based on intuition is often the main reason for final performance being at the bottom.

Important reminder:
It is recommended to conduct a business district assessment on your own or entrust a professional market research company to do so, and to consult franchise owners who have been operating in the same area for many years about the real situation. Do not blindly follow official data.

Things you must do before joining

Carefully assess your personal funds and risk tolerance

The average starting capital for a 7-11 franchise is 2.5 to 4 million yuan, and the decoration and royalties for some popular business districts are even close to 6 million yuan. It is recommended to reserve sufficient working capital, and it is not recommended to use up all the family savings or invest with high debt.

Study the contract terms and seek professional advice

The details of the franchise contract are complicated, involving compensation, equipment liability, and brand management rules. It is recommended to seek advice from a lawyer or franchise consultant. Never place a deposit without reading the contract details.

Visit existing stores and listen to franchise owners’ opinions

Official data is for reference only. To understand the most realistic store operating pressures and risks, one must learn from experienced franchisees.

Help you avoid pitfalls: Franchising is not the only option for starting a business

With self-media, e-commerce platforms,affiliate marketing The current entrepreneurial landscape is diverse. For entrepreneurs with limited capital who do not want to be bound by numerous business regulations, "affiliate marketing" has become a new solution for the middle class to make money on their own.

Taking the well-known platform [AffiMarket Easy Alliance] as an example, this platform specializes in connecting high-growth industry resources such as travel and accommodation, AI tools, shopping websites, etc., and provides promoters with free teaching resources and professional consulting. There is no need to pay high franchise fees, hire manpower, or bear huge rents, and it can generate tens of thousands of stable income every month.

Warm reminder: Before joining a business, you still have many more comfortable, flexible and low-risk options. Do not give up your own control and life flexibility because of the temporary brand halo.

In 2025, "7-11 franchising" will still be attractive, but the risks should not be underestimated. Between profit and reality, management and freedom, every step should be thought twice before taking. I hope every aspiring entrepreneur can avoid traps and find his or her own career blueprint.