7-Eleven executive named president and COO of Chaudhary Petroleum Group

Dive Brief:

Jim Summers, former senior vice president of franchise operations for 7-Eleven, has been named president and chief operating officer for c-store franchisee and fuel wholesale supplier Chaudhary Petroleum Group (CPG), according to an emailed announcement.
In his new role, Summers will establish standard operating procedures and systems to improve CPG’s business and help enable “considerable growth” in the years ahead, according to the announcement.
Summers brings more than 20 years of experience with Irving, Texas-based 7-Eleven to his new role.

Dive Insight:

Summers first joined 7-Eleven as a store manager in 1990, and went on to hold roles such as field consultant, market manager and fresh foods category manager. He took a brief hiatus from the c-store industry in 2004 when Hope Depot hired him as a director, according to his LinkedIn profile, but he returned in 2010 upon becoming president and COO of Mid-Atlantic Convenience Stores, which became one of the largest marketers for ExxonMobil in North America.

Summers returned to 7-Eleven in 2012 as vice president of operations, according to his LinkedIn bio, a role in which he oversaw 1,300 franchise stores and approved new store development and site selection, according to the announcement. In May of this year, he shifted to his most recent position, where he was responsible for the growth and profitability of more than 6,800 franchise stores.

Summers’ experience will help CPG “put the right pieces in place” to help fuel its growth plans in the coming years, CPG CEO Binod Chaudhary said in the announcement.

“As a 7-Eleven franchisee, we worked very closely with [Summers] over the past seven years and came to respect his talent and business acumen,” Chaudhary said.

Summers noted in the announcement that CPG’s leaders are focused on “modernizing and improving” the c-store experience. The South Florida-based company made headlines last year for its new-concept 7-Eleven store in Westlake, Florida, which featured CPG’s Fusion Fresh restaurant brand, a wine cellar, a nitro cold brew and iced tea bar, and a car wash.

Founded in 2006, CPG owns and operates numerous 7-Eleven stores throughout Palm Beach and Broward Counties and a team to support day-to-day operations. The company distributes ExxonMobil-branded gasoline throughout the tri-county area.