Aug 14, 2006 10:25 AM, from staff and wire reports

In its largest acquisition in 20 years, 7-Eleven Inc has purchased White Hen Pantry Inc, a Lombard IL-based convenience store chain. White Hen operates and franchises 206 stores in the Chicago area and northwest Indiana, and licenses another 55 in Boston. With the addition of the White Hen stores, the number of stores 7-Eleven operates, franchises, and licenses in North America increases to more than 7,100.

7-Eleven and White Hen have a long history in the Chicago area, with 7-Eleven opening its first store there in 1966 and White Hen in 1965. Both companies have steadily increased their presence in the Chicago area over the years, and together will now total nearly 400 stores in the market. White Hen stores will continue to operate for the near-term as they have.

Based in Dallas TX, 7-Eleven operates, franchises, or licenses more than 30,000 stores in 18 nations and United States territories. During 2005, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of about $43 billion.