A convenient giveaway

Franchise executives at 7-Eleven, disappointed in statistics that show less than one-third of franchised businesses in the U.S. are owned by women, are in a giving mood.

The company, the world's largest convenience store chain, recently introduced a contest that will award a woman a 7-Eleven fee-free franchise — a value of up to $190,000.

Dallas-based 7-Eleven will also make a donation to the winning women's charity of choice that aligns with its Project A-Game program, which works with youth programs focused on education, fitness, safety and hunger relief. (The credit of up to $190,000 toward the initial franchise fee, according to the contest's fine print, doesn't cover a $29,000 down payment on inventory, permits and other fees and expenses.)

“Some of our most successful franchisees across the country are women,” says Larry Hughes, 7-Eleven vice president of franchise systems, in a statement. “7-Eleven serves a diverse customer base, and the number of women shopping our stores continues to grow.”