Key facts
- US House members are calling for an investigation into overcharging at 7-Eleven and Circle K.
- A Guardian investigation found these stores frequently charge more at checkout than shelf prices.
- 7-Eleven failed 41% of price inspections in Arizona and 47% in Colorado and Utah between 2023-2025.
- Circle K failed 62% of price inspections in North Carolina during the same period.
- Representatives Becca Balint and Nanette Barragán are among those demanding action.
- The FTC has been urged to investigate the pricing practices.
US lawmakers are demanding action against major convenience store chains after a Guardian investigation revealed widespread discrepancies between advertised and charged prices. Five members of the US House of Representatives have publicly criticized 7-Eleven and Circle K for allegedly overcharging customers at the register and pump.
Representative Becca Balint, a Democrat from Vermont, described the situation as "enraging" and called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the trend and hold the companies accountable. She emphasized that businesses have a responsibility to ensure the price displayed is the price paid.
California Representative Nanette Barragán echoed these concerns, stating that Americans need transparent and fair pricing, especially as costs for basic necessities rise. The Guardian's investigation, which reviewed customer complaints and state price-accuracy inspections, found that both chains frequently failed these inspections. Between 2023 and 2025, 7-Eleven failed 41% of its inspections in Arizona and 47% in Colorado and Utah. Circle K failed 35% of inspections in Florida, 39% in Arizona, and a significant 62% in North Carolina.
This issue follows similar reporting by The Guardian in December concerning Dollar General and Family Dollar, which also faced accusations of charging higher prices at checkout than advertised. In response to that report, 30 House members signed a letter demanding answers from the dollar store chains. Illinois Representative Nikki Budzinski noted that the convenience store reporting "shows the problem goes even deeper."
Experts cited by The Guardian suggest that a lack of inspection and enforcement resources across the country hinders efforts to address the problem. Economist Dean Baker argued that imposing substantial fines for each instance of overcharging, even for small amounts, would incentivize retailers to ensure price accuracy.