Why is 7-11 so big in Japan?

The Japanese love convenience stores and vending machines. It is a huge part of their culture. The 7-11s in Japan also offer a much wider variety of snacks and drinks than the ones in the US, and I believe many if not all of them have seats/tables with WiFi, similar to coffee shops.

They offer much healthier, fresh alternatives. The way a convenience store should be.

Convenience store food in Japan is GROSS. It's fatty, fried crap covered in mayonnaise and corn. I lived there for years and I've been shocked that it's become fashionable here recently. The only thing that's good are the o-musubi aka sushi triangles.

They bought most of the 7-11's here in the US. I dont know if they still own them. I worked for 7-11 for several years and they were very good to me pay wise and had good benefits. That was around 2006-2010.

Things are easy when you’re Big in Japan.

They have delicious food that’s easy and affordable. Good things that are affordable take off.

They must be so disappointed the first time they visit a US location.

R3 - that wasn't my experience at all. I echo what others have said - a lot of good fresh food to go. I was amazed.

I was just in Copenhagen and Stockholm and there lots of them in both cities

[quote]I was just in wonderful, wonderful Copenhagen and Stockholm and there lots of them in both cities

Fixed it for you, r9.