After years of planning and market research, 7-Eleven is rolling out new stores in Oklahoma that will better cater to the needs of consumers.

The Oklahoma City-based 7-Eleven Stores (not affiliated with the Dallas-based national chain) are introducing new, larger stores in Oklahoma. After years of planning and research, the first new store opened last week.

According to a report by The Oklahoman, these new and improved 7-Eleven Stores feature softer lighting, patio seating and a larger selection of coffee, cold beverages and frozen yogurt. The new store is also the first to feature a full kitchen, and will offer a wider variety of breakfast items, along with pizza and chicken bites. As the market moves toward favoring made-to-order foodservice, 7-Eleven stores is striving to offer more made to order items.

In addition to the expanded food and beverage offerings, the new stores will also carry diesel fuel, which is not currently offered in other 7-Eleven stores.

The new store that opened last week is being considered a prototype and is said to be the first of many to come. There are currently three additional new-format stores under construction, and the company anticipates eventually opening as many as 15 of these expanded convenience stores in the Oklahoma City market.

The addition of these new stores may come as replacements or as an expansion to the brand. 7-Eleven is already one of the largest independent retailers of gasoline, employing more than 1,200 people, and with the addition of new stores, that number is expected to grow.