{
  "id": 15346216,
  "title": "7-Eleven adds hot-food counters at 16 Singapore stores as DFI Retail sharpens growth focus",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/7-eleven-adds-hot-food-counters-at-16-singapore-stores-as-dfi-retail",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-18T04:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Straits Times Business",
    "slug": "straits-times-business",
    "url": "https://www.straitstimes.com/business/7-eleven-adds-hot-food-counters-at-16-singapore-stores-as-dfi-retail-sharpens-growth-focus"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore's convenience store chain 7-Eleven is introducing hot-food counters at 16 locations, expanding its meal options in response to growing demand for ready-to-eat meals. The Foodbar rollout, introduced on October 16, includes customizable bowls, pizza, and waffles. Larger counters allow customers to build their own bowls from $4.50, with choices like rice, pasta, or noodles and a variety of toppings and sauces. The new format varies based on store location and customer profile. A recent survey found that busy schedules and unpredictable routines are influencing meal choices among convenience-store customers, with perceptions of convenience food becoming more favorable. Ready-to-eat products already make up a significant portion of sales in Singapore, with double-digit growth. 7-Eleven Singapore's managing director, Anushree Khosla, noted that shoppers are seeking new food experiences, inspired by convenience stores in Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. The company plans to refit its stores, increase product offerings, and create more space for dining. 7-Eleven currently operates 450 stores in Singapore, following the sale of its supermarket business to Malaysian retailer Macrovalue in 2025. The company is also expanding food offerings at Starbucks and Guardian health and wellness stores, while enhancing DFI Retail Group's focus on businesses with strong growth potential.",
  "summary": "Options ranging from customisable meals to pizza and waffles, with bowls starting at a base price of $4.50.",
  "key_points": [
    "7-Eleven adds hot-food counters at 16 Singapore stores.",
    "Foodbar rollout includes customizable bowls, pizza, and waffles.",
    "Survey shows demand for ready-to-eat meals is growing."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Expanding hot-food counters signals a strategic shift toward high-growth ready-to-eat segments as DFI Retail prioritizes businesses that cater to the evolving mealtime demands of busy urban consumers.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
        "title": "7-Eleven adds hot-food counters at 16 Singapore stores as DFI Retail sharpens growth focus",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/7-eleven-adds-hot-food-counters-at-16-singapore-stores-as-dfi-retail-15355900",
        "published": "2026-10-18T04:50:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}