ARIZONA — Five US House members called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate pricing practices at 7-Eleven and Circle K following a report on high price-inspection failure rates.

US Representative Becca Balint, a Democrat from Vermont, led the request. "It’s enraging that these massive companies are now essentially forcing us to fact-check every price tag and receipt just to make sure we’re not getting ripped off," Balint said in a statement. She added that the chains have a responsibility to ensure shelf prices match register charges. "7-Eleven and Circle K have a responsibility to make sure the price we see on the shelf is the price we pay at the register," Becca Balint said.

Balint asked the FTC to "investigate this trend and hold these companies accountable if they’re deliberately misleading customers." The underlying investigation reviewed 153 shopper complaints involving 7-Eleven and Circle K across 17 states between 2023 and 2025. About half of the complaints involved food, drinks and merchandise, while the other half involved gasoline.

In Texas, authorities received 51 complaints about pricing discrepancies at the two chains during that period. Marco Cruz, a customer, stated that he purchased beef and jalapeño cheese sticks priced at $3.99 on the shelf at a Circle K in McAllen, Texas, but was charged $4.19 at the counter. Cruz stated that an employee refused to adjust the price when he asked.

Inspection records revealed high failure rates for both chains. Between 2023 and 2025, 7-Eleven failed 41% of its price inspections in Arizona. An Arizona inspection revealed that 12 of 25 products at a 7-Eleven rang up higher than their advertised shelf price. During that inspection, a pack of gum advertised at $3.99 rang up at $4.99.

Between 2023 and 2025, 7-Eleven failed 47% of price inspections in Colorado and 47% in Utah. In Los Angeles county, 7-Eleven stores failed 37% of their price-accuracy inspections. The chain failed 79% of inspections in Ontario County, New York, during the same period.

Circle K also recorded high failure rates. Between 2023 and 2025, the chain failed 35% of its price-accuracy inspections in Florida and 39% in Arizona. In Columbus, Ohio, Circle K failed 82% of its price-accuracy inspections.

California representative Nanette Barragán joined the criticism. "This story is disturbing," Barragán said. She stated that Americans work hard to feed their families and that businesses need to keep prices transparent and fair.

Nanette Barragán said: "Americans work hard to feed their families. As Trump and Republicans continue to skyrocket the cost of food and other basic necessities, businesses need to keep their prices transparent and fair."

7-Eleven stated it takes pricing accuracy "very seriously." Circle K stated it is "committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations." Circle K Stores, Inc. is owned by the Canadian multinational operator Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc.

Dean Baker, senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research, wrote that imposing serious fines could prevent stores from overcharging customers. Baker wrote that if a store had to pay a $50 fine for every instance where they overcharged someone, they would quickly figure out how to get shelf prices to agree with cash register prices. "If the goal is to prevent stores from ripping off their customers by posting phony prices on their shelves, this can be done by imposing serious fines," Dean Baker said.

Why It Matters

The call for an FTC investigation follows a pattern of pricing discrepancies identified across multiple states between 2023 and 2025. The failure rates in locations such as Ontario County, New York, and Columbus, Ohio, indicate that a portion of transactions may involve overcharges. The volume of complaints in Texas and the specific examples provided by customers illustrate the practical impact on consumers who must verify receipts to ensure accurate billing.

The involvement of five House members signals potential for increased federal oversight of retail pricing practices. A 2023 FTC report noted persistent issues with pricing accuracy in retail chains, including convenience stores, and recommended that retailers improve their pricing practices. The proposed enforcement actions, including fines suggested by experts, aim to create financial incentives for accuracy. The national footprint of both chains means that any regulatory action could affect thousands of stores and millions of transactions.

Timeline

2020: As of February, Circle K has 9,799 stores in North America. 2023: The Federal Trade Commission issued a report noting persistent issues with pricing accuracy in retail chains, including convenience stores. 2023-2025: Authorities in Texas received 51 complaints about pricing discrepancies at 7-Eleven and Circle K.

What's New

In Texas, authorities received 51 complaints about 7-Eleven and Circle K pricing discrepancies between 2023 and 2025, according to a 2026 Hoodline investigation. The official record of this event states that 7-Eleven failed 47% of inspections in both Colorado and Utah and 79% in Ontario County, New York, between 2023 and 2025. The relevant number is 79%, which is the percentage of price-accuracy inspections failed by 7-Eleven in Ontario County, New York, between 2023 and 2025. Circle K failed 82% of its price-accuracy inspections in Columbus, Ohio, between 2023 and 2025, reflecting one of the highest failure rates among all locations surveyed. Between 2023 and 2025, 7-Eleven failed 47% of price-accuracy inspections in both Colorado and Utah, indicating a consistent pattern of pricing discrepancies across multiple states. The investigation reviewed 153 shopper complaints involving 7-Eleven and Circle K across 17 states. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a report showing persistent issues with pricing accuracy in retail chains, including convenience stores, and recommended that retailers improve their pricing practices to avoid consumer harm.

How Sources Differ

Lawmakers characterized the pricing discrepancies as a result of corporate greed and a lack of oversight. Representative Nanette Barragán called the reports disturbing and stated that businesses need to keep prices transparent. Dean Baker, an economist, argued that voluntary improvements have not resolved the problem and that financial penalties are necessary to ensure accuracy. The companies stated they take pricing accuracy seriously and are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations.