LAVAL, QC, Jan. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ - Alimentation
Couche-Tard Inc. ("Couche-Tard") (TSX: ATD.A ATD.B), one of the
world's largest convenience store retailers with over 15,000 stores
globally, is excited to announce new full-service franchise
opportunities with its Circle K brand in Canada. The
expansion marks the first time the Circle K brand will be
franchised in Canada with the
offer initially targeting the Ontario province. Interested parties will be
able to join a world-wide network of company-owned and licensed
stores.
Circle K's entrance into the Ontario franchise market begins immediately
and aims to foster the growth of the brand in the rapidly
developing province. The franchise locations will also complement
Couche-Tard's nearly 10,000 stores in North America, including over 2,200 in
Canada. The proposal includes
access to Circle K's popular private brands, comprehensive training
and continued education of the brand, and total operational and
marketing support. The new franchise stores will display the Circle
K logo, which is a beacon for customers across the globe looking
for an easy shopping experience.
"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," added Matt
McCure, Vice President, 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."
About Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Couche-Tard is the leader in the Canadian convenience store
industry. In the United States, it
is the largest independent convenience store operator in terms of
the number of company-operated stores. In Europe, Couche-Tard is a leader in convenience
store and road transportation fuel retail in the Scandinavian
countries (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), and in Ireland and also with an important presence in
Poland.
As of October 15, 2017, and
following the Holiday stores acquisition, Couche-Tard's network
comprised 9,987 convenience stores throughout North America, including 8,657 stores with
road transportation fuel dispensing. Its North American network
consists of 19 business units, including 15 in
the United States covering
48 states and 4 in Canada
covering all 10 provinces. Approximately 100,000 people are
employed throughout its network and at its service offices in
North America. In addition,
through CrossAmerica Partners LP, Couche-Tard supplies road
transportation fuel under various brands to more than
1,200 locations in the United
States.
In Europe, Couche-Tard operates
a broad retail network across Scandinavia, Ireland, Poland, the Baltics and Russia through ten business units. As of
October 15, 2017, Couche-Tard's
network comprised 2,750 stores, the majority of which offer road
transportation fuel and convenience products while the others are
unmanned automated fuel stations which only offer road
transportation fuel. Couche-Tard also offers other products,
including stationary energy, marine fuel, aviation fuel and
chemicals. Including employees at branded franchise stores,
approximately 25,000 people work in its retail network, terminals
and service offices across Europe.
In addition, under licensing agreements, more than 1,800 stores
are operated under the Circle K banner in 14 other
countries and territories (China,
Costa Rica, Egypt, Guam,
Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, the
Philippines, Saudi Arabia,
the United Arab Emirates and
Vietnam), which brings the
worldwide total network to more than 15,700 stores.
For more information on Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. or to
consult its quarterly Consolidated Financial Statements and
Management Discussion and Analysis, please visit:
http://corpo.couche-tard.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
The statements set forth in this press release, which
describe Couche-Tard's objectives, projections, estimates,
expectations or forecasts, may constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of securities legislation. Positive
or negative verbs such as "will", "plan", "evaluate", "estimate",
"believe", "expect" and other related expressions are used to
identify such statements. Couche-Tard would like to point out that,
by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties such that its results, or the measures it adopts,
could differ materially from those indicated or underlying these
statements, or could have an impact on the degree of realization of
a particular projection. Major factors that may lead to a material
difference between Couche-Tard's actual results and the
projections or expectations set forth in the forward-looking
statements include the effects of the integration of acquired
businesses and the ability to achieve projected synergies,
fluctuations in margins on motor fuel sales, competition in the
convenience store and retail motor fuel industries, exchange rate
variations, and such other risks as described in detail from time
to time in documents filed by Couche-Tard with securities
regulatory authorities in Canada.
Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws,
Couche-Tard disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking
information in this press release is based on information available
as of the date of the release.
Franchise contacts:
Website:
http://franchise-circlek.com/
SOURCE Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.