June 1 (UPI) -- A disgruntled former 7-Eleven franchisee in Massachusetts opened a competing 6-Twelve business after losing his store.
Abu Musa opened up the 6-Twelve store across the street from the 7-Eleven he previously operated on East Broadway in South Boston after feuding with the convenience store company over its business practices.
His conflict with 7-Eleven began when he said the company forced him to offer hot food such as taquitos and hot dogs, which customers rarely bought.
"They'd sit there on the rollers, no one would buy them, and every day I would throw out $200 to $300 worth of food that I had to pay for," Musa told the Boston Globe.
A 7-Eleven field consultant for the region then asked Musa to begin offering chicken wings and pizza at his store, in addition to hiring an employee to work the hot food counter at all times.
He tried to resist and his relationship with the company ultimately came to an end in 2014 when 7-Eleven accused Musa of failing to ring in purchases and voiding others.
The company attempted to revoke his franchise and both sides eventually reached a settlement outside of court, according to CBS Boston.
Musa then opened the 6-Twelve store across the street from his old 7-Eleven location with the intention of using his knowledge of the company to act as a direct competitor.
"My goal is to get them to close," he said. "I know the price of everything in that store so I sell the same things cheaper."
Some of Musa's old customers supported him in his endeavor and he estimated about half of his current customers followed him from his old store.
"I come here because of him," customer Dave Duffley said. "He greets everyone with a smile, and this feels like an American success story. Corporate pushed him out, so he went right across the street and opened his own shop. What's not to love?"