LAVAL, Quebec -- Amid its ongoing global rebranding initiative, Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is offering new franchise opportunities for its Circle K convenience-store brand in Canada. The expansion marks the first time the Circle K brand will be franchised in Canada, with the offer initially targeting the province of Ontario.
Circle K’s entrance into the Ontario franchise market begins immediately. The company said it aims to foster the growth of the brand in the province. The franchise locations will also complement Couche-Tard’s nearly 10,000 stores in North America, including more than 2,200 in Canada.
The proposal includes access to Circle K’s private brands, comprehensive training and continued education of the brand and total operational and marketing support.
“At Circle K, we are committed to growing our brand globally and look forward to providing business partners in Ontario with the full range of Circle K-branded products and service,” said Matt McCure, vice president of the Circle K worldwide franchise. “We are excited that through this franchise offer, more retailers will be able to join us in our mission to become the world’s preferred destination for convenience and fuel.”
In 2015, Couche-Tard said it would begin consolidating its Circle K, Statoil, Mac's and Kangaroo Express retail brands under one refreshed global banner, creating a renewed, global convenience brand with Circle K.
As of Oct. 15, 2017, and following the Holiday Stationstores acquisition, Laval, Quebec-based Couche-Tard’s network included 9,987 c-stores in North America, including 8,657 stores with motor-fuel dispensing. Its North American network consists of 19 business units, including 15 in the United States covering 48 states and four in Canada covering all 10 provinces.
In the U.S., Couche-Tard ranked No. 2 in CSP's 2017 Top 202 list of the largest c-store chains.
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