Rebirth of the Strongest Tycoon

The latest website: Tokyo, the headquarters of 7-11 Convenience Store Co., Ltd. in the island country.

Vice President Kimura Sawano, who just flew back from the United States, rushed back to the company with a solemn expression and walked straight into the office of President Suzuki Toshifumi.

Toshifumi Suzuki can be said to be the biggest contributor to the success of the 7-11 convenience store in the island country. At the beginning, he persuaded Masaru Ito to sign a regional franchise agreement with the American Southern Company to obtain the development of the "7-11" convenience store model in the island country. Right, this is also the first convenience store in the island country to copy the American model.

This is the right path, so Toshibu Suzuki has been unanimously recognized by the executives of the Ito-Yokado Group. Since February 1978, he has served as the president of 7-11 Convenience Store Co., Ltd., leading the company to embark on a rapid development. road.

It's just that this broad avenue has been gradually covered with fog since the beginning of this year, so that the future cannot be seen at a glance, and the future has become erratic.

Seeing the face of Kimura Sawano who came in, Toshibu Suzuki's expression instantly became solemn, and the pen in his hand subconsciously put down.

"Kimura-kun, you're back, how is the situation?"

Kimura Sawano sighed and said with a look of guilt: "President, I'm sorry for disappointing you."

"Roy Gordon is no longer vague about us, but the conditions we put forward are unacceptable to us."

"What conditions?"

Toshifumi Suzuki hurriedly asked.

"The American Southern Company proposed that the franchise fee should not be increased. It is still three million US dollars per year, but they want to increase the shareholding from 21% to 51%, and ask us to transfer another 30% of the equity to them."

Kimura Sawano said solemnly.

Tosumi Suzuki's face was instantly gloomy, and he scolded angrily: "Damn American ghosts, he is robbery!"

"They are the bright future of 7-11 convenience stores in the island nation!"

"That's right, they're looting, Roy Gordon has us, and he even threatened that it's our only option."

Thinking of the scene when he negotiated with Roy Gordon, Kimura Sawano's anger rose again, and he said with hatred.

As the vice president of the island country 7-11 Convenience Store Co., Ltd.,

Because the company is a large retail company with an annual revenue of more than 200 billion yen in the island country, his social status is very high, but after being sent by the company to the United States, he just suffered a few months of cowardice.

The island country 7-11 Convenience Store Co., Ltd. was seized by the Southern Company of the United States. In the face of various difficulties and runs, he could only endure and dare not attack, for fear of destroying the cooperation between the two sides and letting Roy Gordon find the attack. The reason for this is to cause trouble for the company.

In fact, the source of what made Suzuki Toshibu and Kimura Sawano so angry was the contract signed in November 1973.

In November 1973, Masahiro Ito and Toshifumi Suzuki went to the headquarters of the American Southern Company in Texas, USA, and negotiated the franchise of the 7-Eleven convenience store in the island country.

The final negotiation result was that the American Southern Company obtained 21% of the equity of the 7-11 convenience store in the island country. At the same time, the island country Ito-Yokado Group also needed to pay an annual franchise fee of three million US dollars. The franchise period was limited to ten years. Renewal can be given priority after ten years, and the specific franchise fee can be renegotiated.

And because the Ito-Yokado Group was in a weak position at the time, the American Southern Company became a shareholder of the new company, and the Ito-Yokado Group did not expect the 7-11 convenience store to develop to this point in the Island Congress, so in terms of breach of contract , the agreement is relatively loose, but it is agreed that during the agreement period, if both parties unilaterally breach the contract, they need to pay the other party a one-time compensation of 30 million US dollars.

This clause is more to constrain the American Southern Company.

The agreement was signed in November 1973, and it is now September 1983, two months before the ten-year deadline.

In fact, Toshibu Suzuki deployed the contract renewal work at the beginning of this year, but he was a little careless at first, thinking that it was just that the franchise price could not be negotiated. When he realized that something was wrong, it was already too late.

It's no wonder that the shareholder representatives and directors of the American Southern Company are so foolish. In addition, over the past so many years, the cooperation between the two parties has been close.

The development dividend of 7-11 convenience stores in the island country has also been enjoyed by American Southern Company. At the beginning, it obtained 21% of the company's equity with only brand investment. It can be said that Ito-Yokado Group is very worthy of American Southern Company.

I just didn't expect that the American Southern Company became so greedy and wanted to eat the 7-11 convenience store in the island country!

"President, what should we do now?"

"Roy Gordon has been throwing smoke bombs and messing with us on annual franchise fees until now."

"It's been less than two months before the ten-year deadline. As long as the deadline is reached, they can automatically terminate the contract, and the clause of the $30 million liquidated damages will become invalid."

"We have less than two months to make a decision, and the time is too short."

Kimura Sawano said with a solemn expression.

"Yeah, the time is too tight, Roy Gordon is deliberately delayed until now, we are in big trouble!"

Suzuki Toshibu had a heavy heart, and sighed after a long time.

"President, there should be new store opening plans in the next few months, what are you going to do?"

Faced with Nakamura Sawano's question, Toshibu Suzuki shook his head and sighed: "According to the original plan, 120 new stores need to be opened in the fourth quarter. Most of the site selection work has been completed, and now it can only be suspended."

"We have spent nearly ten years running the brand, and consumers have already recognized the brand of our 7-11 convenience store. We must solve the brand issue first!"

"On this matter, only President Ito can decide. I will ask him for instructions first."

After Toshifumi Suzuki finished speaking, he stayed silent on the stool for another half a minute, then picked up the phone and called Ito Masahiro. After a few words, he made sure that Ito Masato was in the Ito Yokado Group and was free. hang up the phone.

"Kimura-kun, come with me to see President Ito."

"OK!"

After that, Kimura Sawano left the office with Suzuki Toshibu.

The headquarters of Ito-Yokado Group is located in Shiba Park, Minato-ku, Tokyo, not far from 7-11 Convenience Store Co., Ltd.

About ten minutes later, Toshibu Suzuki and Sawano Kimura hurried to Masahiro Ito's office.

"Suzuki, Kimura, sit down!"

"Thank you boss!"

"Are you looking for me together, is it about the American Southern Company?"

"How's it going?"

Masahiro Ito is a gentleman, and the smile on his face is his hallmark. Now he asks the situation in a gentle tone, but it makes Suzuki Toshifumi and Kimura Sawano feel guilty.

After all, they let the president down.

As the president of the 7-11 convenience store, Toshibu Suzuki has no shortage of responsibilities. He lowered his head slightly and recounted the general situation: "President, I'm sorry to report the bad situation to you..."

As Suzuki Toshiba continued to tell the story, the smile on Ito Masaharu's face gradually disappeared, and his expression became more and more solemn.

"Kimura, do you have anything to add?"

But Masahiro Ito was still calm, and after Toshibu Suzuki finished speaking, he asked Kimura Sawano again.

Kimura Sawano combined with Suzuki Toshiba to tell the story, and added: "President, I still have some details to add..."

Next, Kimura Sawano mainly talked about the content of his conversation with Roy Gordon in every contact, as well as his personal analysis.

After Kimura Sawano also finished speaking, Ito Masahiro said solemnly: "It seems that after nearly ten years of development, we have encountered the biggest crisis since the establishment of the company!"

"It's my fault that I didn't pay enough attention at the beginning to leave such a big loophole."

Seeing Masahiro Ito blaming himself, Toshifumi Suzuki was even more embarrassed, and said quickly: "President, in fact, the main responsibility lies with me. At that time, I strongly recommended joining 7-11 convenience stores and was optimistic about the development of chain convenience stores. Still underestimating the future of this market, so there is no…”

"Okay, let's not argue about the right or wrong of the past."

Ito Masahiro interrupted Suzuki Toshifumi and said, "The brand problem must be solved immediately."

"The American Southern Company's request is too unreasonable. Once it is agreed, the ownership of the company will be controlled by the American Southern Company. Even if we develop well, the future is full of risks. The American Southern Company can easily determine our future."

"At present, it seems that there are only two choices in front of us. The first is to continue negotiating with the American Southern Company to lower their conditions. Part of the equity can be transferred, but a maximum of 12% can be transferred. Holding more than one-third of the company's equity."

"If they don't want to, then we can only give up, rectify the stores across the country, and completely change the brand."

"Although doing so will cause us to suffer a lot, but I believe we will survive it successfully."

Speaking of this, Masahiro Ito paused, changed his heavy tone, and his tone became passionate and sensational.

"The greatest wealth of the company is not money, but trust, the trust of customers, suppliers and employees. I believe that even if we change the brand, as long as we continue to do a good job in management and service, I believe that customers will definitely continue to choose us."

"Of course, we must also understand that if we really have to make the second choice, then convenience stores such as Lawson and All Day will definitely not miss the opportunity, and they will compete fiercely with us, and our pressure will be very high. Big, especially the two of you."

"President, please rest assured that no matter how difficult the difficulties are, we will overcome them. Along the way, we have proved that we are not afraid of challenges!"

"Yes, President, please rest assured!"

Suzuki Toshibu and Kimura Sawano said loudly one after another.

Ito Yajun nodded with satisfaction and encouraged: "I believe in your abilities!"

Then, his smile subsided, and the gaze under his eyes became unusually deep, and solemnly commanded:

"Kimura, it's up to you to continue negotiating with the American Southern Company, I'll give you ten days!"

"The bottom line, I have already told you that a maximum of 12% of the equity will be transferred, and the price cannot be low."

"Yes!"

Kimura Sawano answered loudly.

Ito Masahiro looked at Suzuki Toshifumi again and instructed: "Suzuki, according to the second situation I said, make a plan in advance. If Kimura's progress fails, then execute it immediately, and start correcting the contract when the contract expires. All stores are being renovated and renovated to complete the brand change as quickly as possible.”

"clear!"

Toshibu Suzuki raised his chest and looked very firm.

"Um!"

"Go, come on!"

...