MIAMI — A 33-year-old Army veteran has opened a South Miami-Dade County 7-Eleven franchise he won as part of a corporate competition.
The Miami Herald reports that Army Capt. Robert Kemna, a veteran with 15 years' service, was one of three veterans chosen from an initial pool of 1,700 who competed from across the country to start a 7-Eleven franchise. The store opened Wednesday at the crossroads of Southwest 127th Avenue and Quail Roost Drive.
In winning the new shop, 7-Eleven waived the up-to $190,000 franchise fee. The convenience store giant bought the land, built the store and put in the equipment, which it owns.
7-Eleven spokeswoman Patricia Maldonado says President and CEO Joe DePinto had initially planned to choose one winner but couldn't select just one of the finalists.
