An African couple is suing 7-Eleven alleging the retail corporation used racist practices to prevent the pair from buying a franchise in Encinitas. The husband and wife say 7-Eleven required them to take a psychological test and used it as an excuse to deny their request to buy a franchise. KPBS Reporter Amita Sharma has more.
Tesfazghi Woldeab and his wife Bisrat Andemicael, who are Eritrean refugees, set out to buy a 7-Eleven franchise last year. Both had experience managing AM/PM stores. They found an owner of franchise in Encinitas who was willing to sell. According to the lawsuit, the owner believed the couple met the corporation's financial Work and personal requirements to run a franchise.
But during an interview with a 7-Eleven representative, Woldeab and Andemicael were told they were required to take a psychological test. The couple later learned they were given the test because they were Black. Their request to purchase a franchise was later rejected by 7-Eleven.
A company spokesperson did not return calls for comment. Amita Sharma, KPBS News.
