7-Eleven Australia sold to Japan company for $1.7b

7-Eleven Australia has been sold by its local family owners to a Japanese company. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)

The 7-Eleven Australia chain, one of the nation's most recognisable brands, has been sold by its family owners to a Japanese company for $1.7 billion.

The Withers and Barlow families have sold to 7-Eleven International, a joint venture between 7-Eleven Inc and Seven-Eleven Japan.