7-Eleven Takes the Wheel at Illinois Tollway Oases

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill -- Illinois Tollway officials have struck a deal with 7-Eleven to replace EXxxonMobil outlets for all seven Illinois Tollway Oases. The deal is for the remaining 17 years of the lease agreement.

The new agreement with Dallas-headquartered 7-Eleven includes maintenance and operations responsibilities for Mobil fuel stations at the Tollway Oases throughout Northern Illinois. The c-store chain will now be responsible for the 13 Mobile fuel stations, convenience stores and car washes. Tollway officials expect the transition to be seamless, with no effect on customers.

"7-Eleven is a nationally recognized brand and we're pleased to have them as a new partner," said Illinois Tollway executive director Kristi Lafleur. "Our goal is to provide the highest level of service to our customers and 7-Eleven is a welcome addition."

Under the agreement, all of the convenience stores will be rebranded as 7-Eleven operations. The fuel stations will continue to carry the Mobil flag, which will allow customers to fill up with Mobil gas, and use the ExxonMobil credit card at the gas pumps and inside the stores.

"Acquisitions are part of our aggressive growth strategy. This acquisition gives our brand great visibility in Chicagoland and provides more opportunity for us to serve consumers there with 7-Eleven-style convenience," said Sean Duffy, 7-Eleven vice president of mergers and acquisitions. "These ExxonMobil sites add to the approximately 750 locations that 7-Eleven Inc. has acquired since the beginning of 2008 when we significantly ramped up our expansion efforts."

There are four Tollway Oases on the Tri-State Tollway: Lake Forest, O'Hare, Hinsdale and Chicago Southland Lincoln in South Holland. There are two oases on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway in Belvedere and Des Plaines, and one on the Reagan Memorial Tollway in DeKalb.