What Grand Openings Are Like in Japan

If you’ve ever wondered what a franchise grand opening is like in Japan, this is the blog for you! If you haven’t, you’re probably not in the minority, but now that I’m talking about it I bet you’re at least a bit interested. If you love Japanese convenience stores (konbini) or McDonald’s, read on to see how grand (or not) Japan does grand openings.

7-Eleven

Somehow I’ve been to two different 7-Eleven openings, one near my apartment a few years ago and one near work more recently. Both times they opened at 7AM, and at opening time there was a small line of people waiting. Also, both times there were some staff members out greeting people, as well as decorations like flowers, banners, and balloons.

On the morning of the first one in 2022, I imagined them giving keychains or something to the first customers. I wanted a 7-Eleven freebie! Sadly, they didn’t have anything like that. What they did have was lucky bags (福袋, fuku-bukuro). Lucky bags are like grab bags or blind bags that are filled with a handful of mystery items. They’re usually a good value for the price, and although they’re usually sold around New Year, sometimes shops seem to have them for special events (like this grand opening). Sometimes shops try to give them interesting names, so you might see “happy bags,” but this 7-Eleven’s lucky bags were called “fun bags” in Japanese (お楽しみ袋), which is pretty funny when you think about it in English. Anyway, these bags were ¥2000, which is a bit more than most locals would want to pay for a bag of 7-Eleven snacks, so I passed. I just bought normal 7-Eleven stuff that day.

This time, in 2025, I knew better. I didn’t expect any freebies, but I was hoping for a more affordable lucky bag. Well gosh was I wrong again! They had some small discounts on onigiri rice balls and bread, and plain plastic bags filled with 3 cream puffs at a discount. They didn’t have any lucky bags at all! I bought a few bags of cream puffs to share at work, a bit confused as to just why this was the special item being pushed (although 7-Eleven’s cream puffs are indeed quite good), and a bit disappointed at the lack of lucky bags. But at checkout, they offered me a free green tea, water, or tissue pack. How nice! I got a freebie in the end, after all.

Funnily enough, I later realized the signs for the 7-Eleven openings didn’t say “grand opening,” they just said “opening,” so maybe that’s why they weren’t so grand… because the McDonald’s opening I went to was a bit grander.

McDonald’s

Just like the 7-Elevens, the new McDonald’s was advertised to open at 7AM, so I dunno if that’s the magical Japan grand opening time or not, but anyway, this opening was labeled as a “grand opening.” That sounded promising, but what was even more exciting was the freebie raffle advertised on the poster! The first 100 customers to spend ¥1500 during the first 4 days of operation could win a prize of a big hamburger cushion, a slightly smaller French fry cushion, a tote bag, a hand towel, or a free small drink. I really wanted that French fry cushion, so I called up a friend and we decided to line up for the opening.

We were nervous about being late lining up, so we decided to get there by 6AM at the latest. I managed to arrive at 5:30AM, first in line! I was so proud of myself! One cool thing about being first in line was that I could decide which way the line should form. That felt kinda neat; I picked the direction that seemed like it wouldn’t interfere with traffic.

There were already a few staff members inside, and after a few minutes standing there another showed up. She asked me if I’m okay and if I’m cold, but when I said I was fine and I’m just lining up, she seemed amused. She couldn’t get in the front door as it was locked, so she went around to the side. When the rest of the staff came, it was a bit amusing to see who was able to get in the front by getting someone inside’s attention and who gave up and went around.

My friend came around 6AM, second in line, and others started coming around 6:15 or so. One guy was a Japanese live streamer there with his partner, and they were talking about going through the line twice… They meant business! At some point the same staff member who’d talked to me earlier came out and asked my friend and me why we were there, and when we said we wanted to try the freebie raffle she chuckled and commented “It’s going for 4 days.” It’s kind of funny to think the staff would be surprised there was a line for a grand opening.

Anyway, when the doors opened at 7AM on the dot, it felt really cool to be first inside! Of course I didn’t get any prize, nor was any TV crew there or anything like that, but I felt victorious! I was so excited, in fact, I walked right by the giant ordering touchscreen panels to try and order at the counter, but apparently they don’t do that anymore, so I had to circle back. I was a bit slow to choose my order, and while I was fiddling with the menu, I heard a bell ringing. Next thing you know, my friend comes over to me proudly holding her French fry cushion! How cute!!

Finally my order was complete, but because I took too long ordering there was now a line for the prize counter. When it was finally my turn, they handed me a cute coin for the gachapon capsule dispenser. I inserted it, turned the dial, and out came a plastic capsule with a strip of paper telling me what prize I won.

I really wanted a French fry cushion, but honestly anything other than a small drink would have been ok. The staff took my paper and led me to the box of hand towels. I don’t think I got a bell ringing, that seemed to only be for the cushion winners.They had a Big Mac and a French fry towel, and while both looked cute in the wrapper, I asked him what they look like underneath. Apparently the fries one was just yellow stripes, which is a bit boring, so I went with the Big Mac. How fun! Now I can wipe my burger hands with… a burger!

Sitting together eating our big breakfast, we realized something very interesting: this McDonald’s didn’t smell like greasy French fries yet! It was a brand spanking new building!

Family Mart and Lawson

Although I’ve never been to a grand opening of Family Mart or Lawson, I have been to their re-opening after renovation. The Lawson didn’t seem to be that different on the inside, so maybe they renovated some internal or infrastructure stuff; the Family Mart looked a bit fresh and shiny, and the shelves had been rearranged, too. They both had lucky bags, much more affordable at ¥1000. In the Family Mart one I even won the grand prize of a box of 6 Famichiki fried chicken pieces! Let’s just say my coworkers were jealous when I showed them that coupon, until I brought the chicken in for everyone!

Grand Closing & Links

Well that’s a wrap! Next time you see a sign for a franchise opening in Japan, you’ll have an idea of what to expect. Or not. Anyway, have a grand day!

My 7-Eleven 2022 YouTube video