Couple Loses $1 Million Investment in 7-Eleven Franchise
It is Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 4:56 am.
Sunny and Jotika Sharma ran a 7-Eleven store in Kensington for ten years.
In short, they lost their business.
A couple who owned a 7-Eleven store says they have lost everything after the company did not renew their contract.
7-Eleven told them they could sell the store, but they did not allow a buyer to purchase it.
Other 7-Eleven owners have had the same problem.
7-Eleven is accused of forcing the owners to sell and then stopping the sale, so they got nothing back for their $1 million investment.
The store in Kensington is now run by 7-Eleven's main office.
A law expert says what happened to the Sharmas is unfair but not against the law.
The Sharmas bought the store in 2015 and borrowed over $1 million to pay for it.
They did not get any money back from 7-Eleven for the store, even though they built up a customer base over ten years.
Ms Sharma asked how she could lose all her investment and still have to pay back a big loan.
The couple tried to renew their contract several times, but 7-Eleven said no.
They had to give up their store and got nothing in return.
Ms Sharma was very upset and felt exploited by 7-Eleven.
If you know more about this story, you can contact the reporter.
A university professor who specializes in franchise law says the situation is not fair but is legal.
The professor says 7-Eleven has the power because they can choose what to do with the store when the contract ends.
7-Eleven did not comment on the couple's situation.
7-Eleven said they work with their franchisees and take their responsibilities seriously.
The company said they approach all franchisee matters fairly.
7-Eleven did not give a reason for not allowing the sale.
Many 7-Eleven stores are run by individual owners who buy the right to operate under the 7-Eleven brand.
The Sharmas had to stop running their store this month.
7-Eleven's main office takes more than half of the store's profit and pays the rent.
In 2015, the Sharmas signed a ten-year contract with 7-Eleven for their store.
They had bought two other 7-Eleven stores before and sold them successfully.
Before their contract ended, 7-Eleven told them they would not renew it due to the store's performance.
The couple was given time to find a buyer, but 7-Eleven stopped the sale.
A woman named Deepti Pundir tried to buy the store, but 7-Eleven did not allow it.
Deepti Pundir has experience managing a store and had the money to buy the business.
7-Eleven did not explain why they did not allow her to buy the store.
Deepti Pundir applied again, but was still not allowed to buy it.
She was interviewed, but 7-Eleven did not give her a reason for not approving her.
Deepti Pundir has the skills to run a store and was ready to buy the business.
There is a law that regulates how fuel companies like 7-Eleven treat their franchisees.
The law says companies cannot stop the sale of a business without a good reason.
7-Eleven did not answer questions about Deepti Pundir's application.
Because 7-Eleven stopped the sale, the Sharmas had to leave their store.
The situation is affecting the couple's health.
The Sharmas had to walk away from their store with no compensation.
Ms Sharma is worried about paying her mortgage.
Ms Sharma has spoken to other 7-Eleven owners who have had similar problems.
Many families have lost their businesses like the Sharmas.
7-Eleven reminded their franchisees not to talk to the media.
Ms Sharma does not have the money to hire a lawyer, so she is talking to the media and regulators.
The consumer protection agency says businesses should report any concerns about the law to them.
The agency does not help individual businesses with their disputes.
7-Eleven's actions are seen as a cheap way to acquire businesses.
7-Eleven's parent company bought the Australian part of the business for $1.71 billion.
7-Eleven has had problems in the past, including not paying staff correctly.
Dr Buchan says franchisees are vulnerable when their contracts end.
Franchisees trust the company to provide a profitable business.
What happened to the Sharmas is not fair, but it is legal.
Dr Buchan does not think 7-Eleven acted in good faith.
It does not make sense to end a franchise when the owners are doing a good job.
There is a loophole in the law that allows companies to act in their own interests.
Dr Buchan thinks the law should be changed to protect franchisees.
The goodwill payment should be divided so the outgoing owners get some compensation.
It is Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 4:56 am.
It is Thursday, June 18, 2026, at 10:35 am.
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