A Marine from North Carolina has been named the winner of this year's 7-Eleven Operation: Take Command contest.
Jean Cetoute of Richlands, N.C., will have the franchise fee waived for a store anywhere in the continental U.S., according to a release from the company. He told company officials he hopes to take a store near his family in New York.
Chesapeake resident and Army veteran Salil Gautam won a franchise in the first contest last year. His store is at 1618 Indian River Road in Norfolk.
Cetoute, an immigrant from Haiti, was one of three finalists and was chosen by company president and CEO
Joe DePinto.Cetoute served 20 years in the Marines, retired in 2014 as chief of utilities. He also holds a business degree from the University of Maryland and has been working as a real estate agent since retirement.
The contest seeks military veterans for the opportunity to win a store. The company's franchise program also offers discounts to veterans.