• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

The rise of 'conspicuous waiting': The 19th-century economic theory that explains why Gen Z posts their place in line

2

Tim Cook signed off on his final Apple earnings call with a warning about a ‘100-year flood’ in memory chip pricing

3

He worked 100-hour weeks to save a nearly bankrupt boat company. At 83, he’s just turned down $400 million for it—and gave it all to charity instead

1

The rise of 'conspicuous waiting': The 19th-century economic theory that explains why Gen Z posts their place in line

2

Tim Cook signed off on his final Apple earnings call with a warning about a ‘100-year flood’ in memory chip pricing

3

He worked 100-hour weeks to save a nearly bankrupt boat company. At 83, he’s just turned down $400 million for it—and gave it all to charity instead
Retail7-Eleven

7-Eleven quietly switched to vegan mayo

By
Colleen Kane
Colleen Kane
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Colleen Kane
Colleen Kane
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 21, 2015, 9:46 AM ET
General Images Of 7-Eleven Convenience Stores As Seven & I Holdings Announces Full Year Earnings
Pedestrians walk past a 7-Eleven convenience store, operated by Seven & I Holdings Co., in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Seven & I forecasted a 4.7 percent increase in profit this fiscal year. Photographer: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph by Tomohiro Ohsumi — Bloomberg via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Hampton Creek is a food startup that makes Just Mayo–an eggless, vegan mayonnaise made with pea protein. It’s also positioned itself as a food company with ideals, with its CEO and founder Josh Tetrick calling it a “movement” in a series of five full-page ads published in the New York Times.

From the June 21 Times ad:

“Our movement includes:

The largest food service company in the world

The largest convenience store in the world

The two largest retailers in the world

The second largest retailer in the U.S…”

And that list goes on–but the convenience store referenced above is 7-Eleven.

On June 10th, Tetrick tweeted from the Hampton Creek account:

I'm insanely proud of this: All of @7eleven US switched to using #justmayo by @hamptoncreek. (largest convenience store in the world) – Josh

— JUST Egg (@justegg) June 11, 2015

Tetrick told Fortune, “They [7-Eleven] are an awesome group of people, and we’re proud to be partnering with them.”

 

Following the initial tweet, a story appeared on the environmental blog Ecorazzi about 7-Eleven’s switch to Just Mayo. 7-Eleven will still sell other jars of mayo, but will be using the eggless mayo in food it prepares, according to Terick. Nonetheless, in that post, Tetrick estimated this change would save “over 81 million gallons of water, preserve over 4 million square feet of land, and prevent 191 million grams of CO2 emission. For the body, 1.5 billion milligrams of sodium, 304 million milligram of cholesterol, and 30 million grams of saturated fat would be avoided annually.”

However, inquiries made by Fortune to 7-Eleven, Inc.received almost no reply, other than an email saying the company has not issued any information on this topic.

There is no mention in 7-Eleven’s Twitter feed or in ingredient lists on their website about a switch over to a vegan mayonnaise, but there is plenty of mention of soda, pizza, cookie dough, iced coffee…standard convenience store food. The 7-Eleven Twitter feed is heavily snack and Slurpee-focused, and sends out messages like this: “chips. Chips. CHIPS. CHIPS! #chips”

Absent any comment from 7-Eleven about why they made the switch, perhaps the news just wouldn’t fit with their (#chips) message or inspire the existing demographic.

However, the motives might be completely unrelated to human health, environment, or the welfare of egg-bearing chickens, and might just be completely related to the inflated prices of eggs. Recent news stories have indicated that fast food chains such as Panda Express are taking eggs off the menu due to concerns over avian influenza this spring, with more than 48 million birds infected since December. The crisis has caused the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lower its forecast for 2015 egg production by 5.3 percent from last year–6.9 billion dozen eggs, said NBC News. The shortage has Panda Express replaced egg with corn in their fried rice recipe after the shortage drove up prices.

According to the NBC News article, it could be two years before normal production resumes.

7-Eleven may also be counting on nobody noticing–or at least junk-food lovers who aren’t inclined to try healthier alternatives (though a Business Insider story about Just Mayo also noted the company had scored this new contract). In its favor, Just Mayo scored higher than standard jarred mayonnaises in a taste test conducted by Serious Eats.

As one of the most well-funded alternative food startups, Hampton Creek also makes all natural, vegan Just Cookies and is launching a Just Pancakes mix (a spokesperson stresses, though, the company prefers to call its mayo “plant-based,” rather than vegan.) As the company leader, Tetrick’s approach is approachable–the opposite of “no comment.” His Times ads and his Twitter account give his email address and phone number. He is earnest and vocal about wanting to change the food industry by working with the major players, and by inspiring other companies to follow suit. Another recent New York Times ad from Tetrick directed at 23-year-olds issued the challenge, “join us, or compete directly with us.” Time will tell what else this modern startup will hatch.

 

About the Author
By Colleen Kane
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Retail

Amazon may owe you money: It just got $600 million in tariff refunds after a lawsuit accused it of favoring Trump
RetailAmazon
Amazon may owe you money: It just got $600 million in tariff refunds after a lawsuit accused it of favoring Trump
By Catherina GioinoJuly 31, 2026
7 hours ago
Fortune 500 Power Moves: Which executives gained and lost power, July 18–31, 2026
C-SuiteFortune 500 Power Moves
Fortune 500 Power Moves: Which executives gained and lost power, July 18–31, 2026
By Fortune EditorsJuly 31, 2026
10 hours ago
ronnen
SuccessBook Excerpt
The competition passed on a flying toy. We built it into $100 million dollar business
By Ronnen HararyJuly 31, 2026
14 hours ago
Meet the jet-setting fashion editor who turned a New York manicure at 23 into Nails.Inc—Despite selling for $40 million, she still wakes at 5:45 a.m.
SuccessFortune The Good Life
Meet the jet-setting fashion editor who turned a New York manicure at 23 into Nails.Inc—Despite selling for $40 million, she still wakes at 5:45 a.m.
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 31, 2026
18 hours ago
The rise of ‘conspicuous waiting’: The 19th-century economic theory that explains why Gen Z posts their place in line
RetailGen Z
The rise of ‘conspicuous waiting’: The 19th-century economic theory that explains why Gen Z posts their place in line
By Tatiana SatauaJuly 31, 2026
18 hours ago
tb
North AmericaRestaurants
Taco Bell’s quick action on removing lettuce, $1 Mexican Pizza special work to win over diners, investors
By Dee-Ann Durbin and The Associated PressJuly 30, 2026
1 day ago

Most Popular

The rise of 'conspicuous waiting': The 19th-century economic theory that explains why Gen Z posts their place in line
Retail
The rise of 'conspicuous waiting': The 19th-century economic theory that explains why Gen Z posts their place in line
By Tatiana SatauaJuly 31, 2026
18 hours ago
Tim Cook signed off on his final Apple earnings call with a warning about a ‘100-year flood’ in memory chip pricing
Big Tech
Tim Cook signed off on his final Apple earnings call with a warning about a ‘100-year flood’ in memory chip pricing
By Alexei OreskovicJuly 30, 2026
1 day ago
He worked 100-hour weeks to save a nearly bankrupt boat company. At 83, he’s just turned down $400 million for it—and gave it all to charity instead
Success
He worked 100-hour weeks to save a nearly bankrupt boat company. At 83, he’s just turned down $400 million for it—and gave it all to charity instead
By Preston ForeJuly 29, 2026
2 days ago
Millennials say they’ll refuse to care for aging boomer parents—but they’ll be forced to as their inheritance shrinks to 40 cents on the dollar
Personal Finance
Millennials say they’ll refuse to care for aging boomer parents—but they’ll be forced to as their inheritance shrinks to 40 cents on the dollar
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 31, 2026
18 hours ago
Costco's $14 million email settlement: Who qualifies for an up-to $500 payment and how to claim before the Aug. 24 deadline
Retail
Costco's $14 million email settlement: Who qualifies for an up-to $500 payment and how to claim before the Aug. 24 deadline
By Sydney LakeJuly 29, 2026
2 days ago
The millennial generation is split in 2: an older crowd with boomer-style comfort, a younger set going 'back to the early 1900s'
Real Estate
The millennial generation is split in 2: an older crowd with boomer-style comfort, a younger set going 'back to the early 1900s'
By Nick LichtenbergJuly 25, 2026
7 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.