View source for Circle K

{{Short description|Canadian chain of convenience stores}}
{{about|the convenience store and gas station chain|the service organization|Circle K International|the kosher food markings symbol|OK Kosher Certification}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Circle K Stores, Inc.
| image = Circle K and Valero at Corner of Bellaire Drive South and Bryant Irvin Road.jpg
| image_caption = A Circle K store in [[Fort Worth, Texas]]
| image_size = 255px
| logo = Circle K logo 2015.svg
| logo_caption = 
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| founder = Fred Hervey
| area_served = {{collapsible list
| framestyle=border:none; padding:0;
| title =  Many countries
 | [[Belgium]]
 | [[Bulgaria]]
 | [[Cambodia]]
 | [[Canada]]
 | [[China]]
 | [[Costa Rica]]
 | [[Denmark]]
 | [[Egypt]]
 | [[Estonia]]
 | [[Guam]]
 | [[Honduras]]
 | [[Hong Kong]]
 | [[Indonesia]]
 | [[Ireland]]
 | [[Latvia]]
 | [[Lithuania]]
 | [[Luxembourg]]
 | [[Macau]]
 | [[Malaysia]]
 | [[Mexico]]
 | [[Morocco]]
 | [[Netherlands]]
 | [[New Zealand]]
 | [[Norway]]
 | [[Philippines]]
 | [[Poland]]
 | [[Saudi Arabia]]
 | [[South Africa]]
 | [[Sweden]]
 | [[United Arab Emirates]]
 | [[United Kingdom]] ([[Northern Ireland]] only)
 | [[United States]]
 | [[Vietnam]]
}}
| industry = [[Convenience store|Retail (convenience stores)]] [[Franchising]]
| parent = [[Alimentation Couche-Tard|Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc.]]
| founded = [[El Paso, Texas]], [[United States|U.S.]]
({{start date and age|1951}})
| hq_location_city = [[Tempe, Arizona]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| website = {{URL|circlek.com/}}
| footnotes = <ref name="CTAbout">{{cite web|url=https://corpo.couche-tard.com/en/our-company/|title=Our Company|website=Couche-Tard|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref><ref name="CKHistory">{{cite web|url=https://www.circlek.com/history-and-timeline#fndtn-timeline-tab|title=History and Timeline|website=Circle K Stores, Inc.|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref><ref name="CTBrand">{{Cite web|url=https://corpo.couche-tard.com/en/our-company/our-brands/global-circle-k/|title=Global Circle K|website=Couche-Tard|access-date=2020-05-02|archive-date=August 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812142023/https://corpo.couche-tard.com/en/our-company/our-brands/global-circle-k/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Norway">{{cite web |url=http://e24.no/privat/bensin-statoil-doepes-om-til-circle-k/23529378 |title="Bensin-Statoil" døpes om til "Circle K" |publisher=E24 |language=no |date=September 22, 2015 |access-date=November 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2018/0413/954206-circle-k-rebranding/ |title=Topaz Rebrands to Circle K in Ireland |date=April 13, 2018 |publisher=RTE |access-date=April 13, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.couche-tard.com/ |title=Accueil dépanneurs Couche-Tard |publisher=Couche-tard.com |access-date=February 29, 2012}}</ref>
| hq_location_country = 
| num_locations = 15,000+
| num_employees = 40,000+
}}

'''Circle K Stores, Inc.''' is a North American chain of [[convenience store]]s headquartered in [[Tempe, Arizona]], and owned by [[Alimentation Couche-Tard|Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc.]], based in [[Laval, Quebec]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/1514Q:US | title=Circle K Corp/The - Company Profile and News | website=[[Bloomberg News]] }}</ref> Founded in 1951 in [[El Paso, Texas]], the company filed for [[bankruptcy]] protection in 1990 and went through several owners, before being acquired by Alimentation Couche-Tard in 2003.<ref name="CKHistory" /><ref name="CTAbout" /> As of February 2020, Circle K has 9,799 stores in North America, 2,697 stores in Europe, and an additional 2,380 stores operating under franchise agreements worldwide.<ref name="CTAbout" />

In 2015, Circle K unveiled a new logo and brand identity, and Couche-Tard announced that it would deploy the brand globally, including Canada (except Quebec, rebranding from the [[Mac's Convenience Stores|Mac's]] brand), Europe (rebranding from the [[Statoil Fuel & Retail|Statoil]] brand), and the United States (rebranding from the [[The Pantry|Kangaroo Express]] brand and updating the existing Circle K brand).<ref name="CTAbout" /><ref name="CTBrand" />

==Overview==
Since the 1980s, Circle K has been the largest chain of company-owned and operated (non-franchised) convenience stores in the United States.<ref name="CTAbout" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Q62w4GPXMcAC&pg=PA217|title=Financial Accounting|last1=Albrecht|first1=W. Steve|last2=Stice|first2=Earl K.|last3=Stice|first3=James D.|publisher=Thomson/South-Western|year=2008|isbn=978-0324645576|edition=10th|location=Mason, OH|pages=217|oclc=159958977}}</ref> With 7,230 stores overall in the United States, Circle K is second to [[7-Eleven]]'s 9,348 stores (as of July 2019).<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://csnews.com/top-100-convenience-store-chains-2019|title=Top 100 Convenience Store Chains|date=2019-07-30|website=Convenience Store News|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref> As of February 2020, there are more than 14,800 stores with the Circle K brand worldwide.<ref name="CTAbout" /><ref name="CSNRebrand">{{Cite web|url=https://csnews.com/circle-ks-global-rebranding-effort-marches-across-north-america|title=Circle K's Global Rebranding Effort Marches Across North America|date=2020-03-31|website=Convenience Store News|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref>

Within the United States, Circle K owns and operates stores in 48 states (the two states without being Nebraska and Utah),<ref name="CTAbout" /><ref name="CSNRebrand" /> with the largest concentration of stores found in Louisiana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.circlek.com/store-locator|title=Store Locator|date=2020-05-02|website=Circle K Stores, Inc.|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref> Fuel is sold under various brands, with the Circle K and [[Shell Oil Company|Shell]] brands as the most common. Other brands of fuel sold at Circle K stores include [[Valero Energy|Valero]], [[BP]], [[Exxon]], [[Marathon Oil Company|Marathon]], [[Irving Oil|Irving]], [[Mobil]], [[Esso]] and [[Phillips 66]]. Approximately 13% of stores worldwide do not sell fuel.<ref name="CTAbout" />

Circle K operates stores in the United States, Canada, Europe (the Nordics, Baltics, Poland, Russia and Ireland), and Hong Kong, and has franchises in Mexico (it partners with the Mexican stores "[[Tiendas Extra]]" created by Modelo Group), Cambodia, China, Egypt, Guam, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Macau, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam.<ref name="CTAbout" /><ref name="CSNRebrand" /> In [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]], the stores are called ''OK'' in reference to the circle around the K. Circle K Hong Kong was founded in 1985 by [[Li & Fung]] Retailing (later Fung Retailing) as licensee of the name;<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=http://www.cr-asia.com/eng/business/about_ok.htm|title=About Circle K|publisher=Convenience Retail Asia|access-date=2020-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718002158/http://www.cr-asia.com/eng/business/about_ok.htm|archive-date=2020-07-18}}</ref> however, it was sold back to Couche-Tard in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cr-asia.com/eng/newsroom/press/p201105.pdf|title=Convenience Retail Asia to sell 340 Circle K stores to Alimentation Couche-Tard – the owner of the Circle K brand|date=2020-11-05|website=Convenience Retail Asia|access-date=2021-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302134036/http://www.cr-asia.com/eng/newsroom/press/p201105.pdf|archive-date=2021-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://doc.irasia.com/listco/hk/cra/announcement/a240342-e_completionannouncement.pdf|title=Completion of the very substantial disposal in relation to the convenience store business and update on payment of special cash dividend and resignation of director|date=2020-12-21|website=Convenience Retail Asia|access-date=2021-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302134433/https://doc.irasia.com/listco/hk/cra/announcement/a240342-e_completionannouncement.pdf|archive-date=2021-03-02}}</ref> Circle K had 387 franchised locations throughout Hong Kong as of May 2020.<ref name=":3"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.circlek.hk/en/store|title=Store Locator|date=2020-05-02|website=Circle K Hong Kong|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref>

[[File:Circle K on East Point Road 2022.jpg|thumb|A Circle K located in [[Causeway Bay|Causeway Bay, Hong Kong]]]]
The Circle K brand entered the Canadian market in 2008, in connection with Couche-Tard's acquisition of [[Irving Oil]]'s convenience store network.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/couche-tard-inks-deal-to-run-stores-at-irving-gas-stations/article1055104/|title=Couche-Tard inks deal to run stores at Irving gas stations|date=2008-05-09|website=The Globe and Mail|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://marketingmag.ca/brands/couche-tard-to-take-over-irving-blue-canoes-15603|title=Couche-Tard to take over Irving Blue Canoes|date=2008-05-09|website=Marketing Magazine|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref> By 2019, more than 800 Mac's branded stores had been rebranded to Circle K throughout central and western Canada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://csnews.com/couche-tard-enters-year-four-circle-k-rebranding-campaign|title=Couche-Tard Enters Year Four of Circle K Rebranding Campaign|date=2019-09-17|website=Convenience Store News|access-date=2020-05-02}}</ref><ref name="CTBrand" />

[[File:CircleK-Northernmost.jpg|thumb|right|The world's most northern fuel station, in [[Longyearbyen|Longyearbyen, Norway]]]]
In September 2015, Couche-Tard announced that Circle K would become the worldwide brand of all of its convenience stores, replacing [[Mac's Convenience Stores|Mac's]], [[The Pantry|Kangaroo Express]], [[Statoil Fuel & Retail|Statoil]], and [[Holiday Stationstores]] brands (except the Couche-Tard brand in Quebec and the INGO brand in Europe).<ref name="CTBrand" /><ref name="CSNRebrand" /> This global rebrand included the introduction of a new logo incorporating elements of its existing brands, improvements to its product offerings and technology, and investing in store-level improvements aimed at improving the customer experience.<ref name="CSNRebrand" /><ref name="CTBrand" /> The rebranding occurred over the following five years; as of March 2020, all of Europe and 85% of North America had been updated with the Circle K brand and logo.<ref name="CSNRebrand" />

==History==
[[File:Circle K logo.svg|thumb|The former Circle K logo. It can still be seen in the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong and Macau.]]
Entrepreneur Fred Hervey<!--spelled correctly, verified on company's website--> purchased three Kay's Food Stores, from Kay Misenheimer, in [[El Paso, Texas ]], in 1951.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |title=History and timeline |url=https://www.circlek.com/history-and-timeline |website=Circle K |access-date=27 February 2020}}</ref> Hervey renamed the stores as "Circle K Food Stores, Inc." rather than "Kay." He grew the Circle K chain into neighboring New Mexico and Arizona, which has been the company's home base since 1957. (Hervey would go on to serve two terms as mayor of El Paso.)

By 1975, there were 1,000 Circle K stores across the U.S. In 1979, Circle K first expanded its reach into foreign markets via a licensing agreement which established the first Circle K stores in Japan by [[UNY]].<ref name=":2" /> Until 2018, Circle K stores in Japan were run by the [[FamilyMart]] Company, that was named [[Circle K Sunkus]] Company until 2016<ref>{{Cite news|date=2015-03-10|title=Japan's FamilyMart, UNY to merge in September 2016|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-familymart-uny-idUSKBN0M60JU20150310|access-date=2020-10-21}}</ref> and was named '''Circle K Japan''' Company until 2004, which licensed the Circle K brand from Alimentation Couche-Tard. In 2018,<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 July 2018|title=ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD INC.ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM For Fiscal year ended April 29, 2018|url=https://corpo.couche-tard.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/AIF-2018-ENG-v8-FINAL.pdf|access-date=21 October 2020|website=couche-tard.com}}</ref> all Circle K stores in Japan were converted to [[FamilyMart]] stores. In 1983, the number of stores increased to 2,180 with the purchase of the 960-store [[UtoteM]] chain in the western and southern United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Circle K-Utotem |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/29/business/circle-k-utotem.html |access-date=17 January 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=December 29, 1983}}</ref>

[[Karl Eller]], a prominent [[Phoenix, Arizona]] businessman, served as the company's CEO from 1983 to 1990. During that time, Eller built Circle K into the second largest convenience store operation and the largest publicly owned convenience store chain in the U.S. with 4,631 stores in 32 states and an additional 1,300 or so licensed or joint venture stores in 13 foreign countries. Under Eller's leadership, the company grew from annual sales of $747 million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|747000000|1983}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}) to over $3 billion (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|3000000000|1990}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}).

In 1988, the company sent a letter to its over 8,000 employees announcing that it will cut off the medical coverage of those who become sick or injured as a result of AIDS, alcohol, drug abuse or self-inflicted wounds. The company stated that "There are certain lifestyle decisions that we are just not going to assure the results of."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/08/06/us/company-halting-health-plan-on-some-life-style-illnesses.html|title=Company Halting Health Plan On Some 'Life Style' Illnesses|last=Noble|first=Kenneth B.|date=1988-08-06|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-02-27|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><!-- Strange things were indeed afoot at the Circle K. -->

Fortunes declined in the late 1980s as the U.S. economy began to slow down, and Circle K filed for [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 11]] [[bankruptcy]] protection in May 1990; Eller resigned as CEO. Some underperforming locations were sold or closed. In 1993 the company was purchased by [[Investcorp]], an international investment group, and emerged from bankruptcy.

In 1996, Circle K was acquired by [[Tosco Corporation]], an independent petroleum refiner and marketer, but kept its headquarters in Phoenix. Tosco was purchased in 2001 by [[Phillips Petroleum]], which, in 2002, merged with Conoco to form [[ConocoPhillips]]. In 2003, Circle K was purchased by [[Alimentation Couche-Tard]], a large, multinational convenience store operator based in the [[Montreal]] area,<ref name=":2" /> for US$830 million (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|830000000|2003}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2003-10-06|title=Couche-Tard to purchase Circle K|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna3130382|access-date=2020-10-21|website=msnbc.com|language=en}}</ref>

In 2005, [[Taiwan]]'s OK Convenience Store chain terminated its franchise agreement with Circle K.<ref>{{Cite web
| publisher = USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Global Agricultural Information Network
| last = Amy Chang-Chien Hsueh
| author2 = Josephine Hsu
| title = Taiwan Convenience Stores 2010
| access-date = May 17, 2014
| date = June 30, 2010
| url = https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/report/downloadreportbyfilename?filename=Taiwan%20Convenience%20Stores%202010_Taipei%20ATO_Taiwan_6-30-2010.pdf
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923012033/http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Recent%20GAIN%20Publications/Taiwan%20Convenience%20Stores%202010_Taipei%20ATO_Taiwan_6-30-2010.pdf
| archive-date = September 23, 2015
| url-status = live
}}</ref>

In 2006, the company acquired the 90-store Spectrum chain serving [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] and [[Alabama]],<ref name="spectrum">{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/couche-tard-acquires-spectrum-stores-a-90-store-chain-in-the-southeast-region-us-56211367.html |title=Couche-Tard acquires Spectrum Stores a 90 store chain in the Southeast Region (U.S.) |publisher=PR Newswire |date=April 11, 2006}}</ref> the CFM chain in [[Missouri]], 35 Sterling Dairy locations in [[Northwest Ohio]], and 26 stores under various brands from Chico Enterprises of [[Morgantown, West Virginia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://csnews.com/circle-k-acquires-26-stores-three-states|title=Circle K Acquires 26 Stores in Three States|date=2011-11-09|website=Convenience Store News|language=en|access-date=2019-02-27}}</ref> This came after the 2005 rebranding of the various Couche-Tard stores ([[Mac's Convenience Stores|Mac's]], [[Bigfoot (convenience store)|Bigfoot]], [[Lawson (store)|Dairy Mart]], and Handy Andy) under the more nationally known Circle K brand.<ref name="csn-2004sep12">{{cite news |url=https://www.csnews.com/industry-news-and-trends/marketing/couche-tard-rebrands-midwest-stores-circle-k?nopaging=1 |title=Couche-Tard Rebrands Midwest Stores to Circle K: Process should take approximately two years. |website=Convenience Store News |date=September 12, 2004 |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->}}</ref>

In mid-2006, Alimentation Couche-Tard entered into a franchising agreement with ConocoPhillips to brand some of its company-owned stores as Circle K, in the western portion of the U.S. ConocoPhillips remodeled the stores into the Circle K scheme but continued to operate them. The stores continued to have the new ConocoPhillips unified canopy design and ProClean fuels. These stores were spun off as [[Phillips 66]] in May 2012.

Another oil company, [[Canada]]-based [[Irving Oil]], leased out its convenience stores operating under the Bluecanoe and Mainway banners in the United States and [[Atlantic Canada]] to Couche-Tard, which rebranded the locations to Circle K in July 2008, while still selling Irving-branded fuel. However, the Mainways in [[Newfoundland and Labrador]] did not change until summer 2010. The parties had earlier formed a similar partnership in [[Quebec]], with the stores there operated as Couche-Tard.

In April 2009, [[ExxonMobil]] sold 43 Phoenix stores to parent company Couche-Tard as part of a sale of the larger [[On the Run (convenience store)|On the Run]] franchise. These 43 stores were to be rebranded under the Circle K name.<ref>{{Cite news
 |url=http://www.csnews.com/csn/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003967316
 |title=Couche-Tard Acquires ExxonMobil Franchised On the Run Stores
 |work=Convenience Store News
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705123302/http://www.csnews.com/csn/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003967316
 |archive-date=July 5, 2009
 |url-status=dead
 |df=dmy
 }}
</ref>

In July 2010, Circle K had dropped down to fourth rank in number of stores (3,455), behind [[7-Eleven]] (6,523 stores), [[BP]] (4,730 stores), and [[Shell Oil Company|Shell]] (4,630 convenience stores) in 2010.<ref name=":1" />
[[File:Circle K Järvevana - Järvevana tee 2.jpg|thumb|A Circle K petrol station in [[Tallinn|Tallinn, Estonia]]]]
In April 2012, Circle K purchased [[Norway]]-based Statoil Fuel and Retail ASA and its 2300 fuel stations located in [[Scandinavia]], the Baltics, Poland, and western Russia for $2.8 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-statoilfuel-couchetard/couche-tard-enters-europe-with-2-8-billion-norway-buy-idUSBRE83H0K720120418 |title=Couche-Tard enters Europe with $2.8 billion Norway buy |last=Koranyi |first=Balazs |date=18 April 2012 |website= |publisher=Reuters |access-date=3 April 2023}}</ref>

On February 10, 2014, Modelo Group sold the [[Tiendas Extra]] brand of stores to the Mexican franchise of Circle K, Circulo K.
[[File:Exxon Circle K North Richland Hills TX.jpg|thumb|left|A Circle K with an [[Exxon]] fuel station in [[North Richland Hills, Texas]]]]
On December 18, 2014, Couche-Tard announced its acquisition of [[The Pantry]] for $860 million all-cash tender (${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|860000000|2014}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}}). The acquisition closed in March 2015.<ref name="Couche-Tard, Pantry Complete Merger">{{cite web|url=https://www.cspdailynews.com/mergers-acquisition-growth/mergers-acquisitions-news/articles/couche-tard-pantry-complete-merger|title=Couche-Tard, Pantry Complete Merger|date=March 16, 2015|publisher=cspdailynews.com|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref> Following the closing, all stores that were owned and operated by The Pantry, many of them under the "Kangaroo Express" name, were expected to be rebranded under the Circle K banner.<ref name="Cary's The Pantry stores sells for $861M to Circle K parent">{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2014/12/18/the-pantry-cary-nc-sold-to-circle-k-parent.html|title=Cary's The Pantry stores sells for $861M to Circle K parent|date=December 18, 2014|publisher=bizjournals.com|access-date=December 18, 2014}}</ref>

On August 12, 2015, Circle K opened its first five convenience stores in [[Costa Rica]], Central America, after having bought and rebranded the local convenience store chain Delimart.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

[[File:EssoRichmondHill.jpg|thumb|right|A Circle K in [[Richmond Hill, Ontario]], converted from an [[On the Run (convenience store)|On the Run]] store after its purchase from [[Imperial Oil]]]]
[[File:Circle K Highlands Ranch Centennial Pkwy pump 6.jpg|thumb|left|A Circle K fuel pump with the ''Quality Guaranteed'' seal]]
On September 23, 2015, Couche-Tard unveiled a refreshed brand identity for Circle K, and announced that the [[Statoil Fuel & Retail|Statoil]] (Northern, Central and Eastern Europe) and [[Mac's Convenience Stores|Mac's]] (English Canada) brands would be converted to Circle K.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://edmontonjournal.com/business/commercial-real-estate/all-edmonton-macs-locations-rebranded-as-circle-k-stores-by-2019|title=All Edmonton Mac's locations rebranded as Circle K stores by 2019|date=2018-09-07|work=Edmonton Journal|access-date=2018-09-11|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="Mac's stores to be renamed Circle K, says owner Couche-Tard">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/macs-brand-retired-1.3238458|title=Mac's stores to be renamed Circle K, says owner Couche-Tard|date=September 22, 2015|publisher=[[CBC News]]|access-date=September 22, 2015}}</ref><ref name=cspnet-circleklogo>{{cite web|title=Circle K Transformation Goes Beyond Rebranding|url=http://www.cspnet.com/industry-news-analysis/corporate-news/articles/circle-k-transformation-goes-beyond-rebranding|website=CSPNet|access-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925002843/http://www.cspnet.com/industry-news-analysis/corporate-news/articles/circle-k-transformation-goes-beyond-rebranding|archive-date=September 25, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2016, Couche-Tard acquired the Irish service station chain [[Topaz Energy|Topaz]]. In April 2018, Couche-Tard announced that they too would be rebranded to Circle K.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thejournal.ie/topaz-rebranding-circle-k-3956365-Apr2018|title=Service station Topaz rebrands to Circle K, as €55 million investment announced|last=Halpin|first=Hayley|work=TheJournal.ie|access-date=2018-06-14|language=en}}</ref> Couche-Tard similarly acquired [[Imperial Oil]]'s [[Esso]] retail locations in Ontario (228) and Quebec (50) the same year, and rebranded the convenience stores in Ontario (many of which previously operated under the On the Run brand) to Circle K.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/imperial-oil-esso-sales-1.3482381|title=Imperial Oil to sell Esso stations for $2.8B |agency=Canadian Press|work=CBC News|access-date=2018-06-14|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2017, Couche-Tard completed its acquisition of [[CST Brands]], adding stores formerly owned by [[Valero Energy]], and a portion of the [[Ultramar]] chain in Canada to Circle K (with the latter also switching fuel suppliers to Irving).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thetelegram.com/business/a-dozen-nl-ultramar-stations-being-converted-to-irving-and-circle-k-as-part-of-joint-venture-233556/|title=A dozen N.L. Ultramar stations being converted to Irving and Circle K as part of joint venture|website=The Telegram|language=en|access-date=2019-06-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-st-peters-road-ultramar-rebranding-irving-circle-k-1.4735132|title=Irving purchases St. Peters Road Ultramar, rebranding to begin soon|date=July 5, 2018|website=CBC News|access-date=June 30, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://huddle.today/irving-oil-buys-13-ultramar-gas-stations-across-atlantic-canada/|title=Irving Oil Buys 13 Ultramar Gas Stations Across Atlantic Canada|last=Intiar|first=Inda|date=2018-07-04|website=Huddle|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-30}}</ref>

Also in 2017, Couche-Tard bought [[Holiday Stationstores]], a Minnesota-based chain of fuel stations in the [[Midwestern United States]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alimentation-couche-tard-inc-announces-closing-date-of-the-acquisition-of-holiday-664471413.html|title=Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. announces closing date of the acquisition of Holiday|date=2017-12-15|website=PR Newswire|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-03}}</ref> Couche-Tard would integrate business practices from Holiday into the Circle K business, including its food service model, full-service franchise program, and [[car wash]] subscriptions. Some locations also piloted store formats patterned after that of Holiday.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Circle K Stores Begin Piloting Holiday's Grab-and-Go Concept |url=https://csnews.com/circle-k-stores-begin-piloting-holidays-grab-and-go-concept |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=Convenience Store News |date=July 11, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-11 |title=Couche-Tard Rolls Out Holiday Stationstores' Programs to Its Circle K Network |url=https://csnews.com/couche-tard-rolls-out-holiday-stationstores-programs-its-circle-k-network |access-date=2024-09-29 |website=Convenience Store News |language=en}}</ref>

In November 2018, Circle K opened its first store in New Zealand through master franchisee Pamma Retail Group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hutching |first=Chris |date=2018-11-20 |title=Circle K enters convenience store competition in Auckland, with plans for petrol too |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/108723359/circle-k-joins-the-convenience-store-competition-in-auckland |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Stuff |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2021, Circle K announced the purchase of 10 convenience and food stores from the Griffin Group in Ireland. All the stores being bought are in Dublin and located in busy areas such as O’Connell Street, College Green, Grafton Street and Sandyford.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Circle K makes foray onto Irish high street with stores purchase|url=https://www.independent.ie/business/circle-k-makes-foray-onto-irish-high-street-with-stores-purchase-40837026.html|access-date=2021-09-10|website=independent|date=September 10, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In February 2022, Couche-Tard announced that it would rebrand 12 Holiday Stationstores locations in [[Sioux Falls, South Dakota]], to Circle K.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2022 |first=Greg |last=Lindenberg |title=Couche-Tard Rebranding 12 Holiday Stationstores to Circle K |url=https://cspdailynews.com/mergers-acquisitions/couche-tard-rebranding-12-holiday-stationstores-circle-k |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=CSP Daily News |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:Circle K interior.png|thumb|The interior of a Circle K in [[Orlando, Florida]]]]
In April 2022, ''The Wall Street Journal'' reported that Couche-Tard was considering the British convenience store and restaurant operator [[EG Group]], which would have given it a larger presence in [[Australia]], [[Western Europe]], and EG Group's home market of the [[United Kingdom]], as well as the U.S. (where it had bought [[Kroger]]'s convenience store business, as well as [[Cumberland Farms]]), especially in [[Florida]], [[New England]], and [[Ohio]].<ref>{{Cite Q|Q114685803|access-date=2022-10-26}}</ref> EG Group would instead enter into a [[sale and leaseback]] agreement for its U.S. stores,<ref>{{cite news |date=6 March 2023 |title=EG Group sells convenience store portfolio in US for $1.5bn |url=https://www.creherald.com/eg-group-sells-convenience-store-portfolio-in-us-for-1-5bn/ |access-date=8 April 2024 |newspaper=CRE Herald}}</ref> and most of its UK gas stations and restaurants would be sold to retail chain [[Asda]] (which had recently been acquired by EG founders [[Mohsin and Zuber Issa]]) in 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hunt |first=Simon |date=2023-10-31 |title=Issa brothers complete EG Group UK sale to Asda at a discount |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/eg-group-asda-merger-debt-issa-brothers-b1117104.html |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=Evening Standard |language=en}}</ref> along with [[EG On the Move]]—a separate company led by Zuber.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Georgia |date=2024-05-20 |title=Zuber Issa to acquire EG's UK arm as group returns to profit - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2024/05/zuber-issa-eg-group-2/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

On August 19, 2024, Couche-Tard announced it would buy [[Pittsburgh]]-based [[GetGo]] from [[Giant Eagle]], greatly expanding Circle K's presence in [[Pennsylvania]] (all of its existing stores in that state are descended from Lawson's/Dairy Mart) and complimenting its existing stores in Ohio, [[Indiana]], and [[West Virginia]], and add to its stores in [[Maryland]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Giant Eagle is selling all of its GetGo stores to a Canadian company |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2024/08/19/giant-eagle-selling-getgo-stores/stories/202408190043 |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |language=en}}</ref> The [[Federal Trade Commission]] signed off on the deal on June 26, 2025, with [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]-based Majors Management purchasing 34 Circle K and one GetGo location to satisfy [[antitrust]] concerns.<ref name=CK>{{cite web | title=GetGo sale clears anti-trust hurdle, allowing Giant Eagle to spin off division | url=https://www.post-gazette.com/business/pittsburgh-company-news/2025/06/26/getgo-sale-anti-trust-sale-circle-k-majors/stories/202506260116 }}</ref> Majors Management rebranded those locations to MAPCO, with all but two of the divestures being in the [[Indianapolis]] and [[Akron, Ohio]] markets.<ref name="Gas station shuffle brings MAPCO to some former Circle K spots following GetGo deal">{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Patrick |title=Gas station shuffle brings MAPCO to some former Circle K spots following GetGo deal |url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/business/2025/07/12/why-your-area-circle-k-may-become-a-mapco/84574392007/ |access-date=July 15, 2025 |publisher=[[Akron Beacon Journal]] |date=July 12, 2025}}</ref> GetGo will remain headquartered at Giant Eagle's headquarters in [[Cranberry Township, Butler County, Pennsylvania|Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania]] as opposed to Circle K's headquarters in Tempe or its Great Lakes offices at the former Lawson's/Dairy Mart headquarters in Akron, but will lease separate space from Giant Eagle.<ref name=CK /> The GetGo brand name is also expected to continue at least in the short-term despite Couche-Tard's ongoing efforts to rebrand its Holiday Stationstores as Circle K.<ref name=CK /> The deal closed June 29, 2025.<ref>{{cite web | title=Alimentation Couche-Tard closes on its $1.57 billion acquisition of GetGo Cafe + Market | url=https://www.cspdailynews.com/mergers-acquisitions/alimentation-couche-tard-closes-its-157-billion-acquisition-getgo-cafe }}</ref>

==Criticism and controversy==
===Animal welfare===
In 2018, Couche-Tard committed to stop sourcing [[battery cage]] eggs in its corporate-owned Circle K stores in North America and Europe by 2025. In 2023, the company expanded this goal to include international franchise locations.<ref>{{cite news | date=2023-02-14 | url=https://csnews.com/couche-tard-expands-cage-free-eggs-commitment-franchise-network | publisher=csnews.com | title=Couche-Tard Expands Cage-Free Eggs Commitment to Franchise Network}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | date=2023-02-15 | url=https://www.cstoredive.com/news/couche-tard-cage-free-eggs-globally-2025/642782/ | title=Couche-Tard commits to cage-free eggs globally by 2025 | publisher=C-Store Dive | last=Loder | first=Jessica}}</ref> In March 2025, the animal protection organization [[The Humane League]] criticized Circle K for failing to publicly reported progress toward its cage-free commitment.<ref>{{Cite press release |last=The Humane League |title=As 2025 Deadlines Hit, Subway, Wendy's, Crumbl Face Scrutiny Over Cage-Free Egg Failures Amid Bird Flu Crisis |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-humane-league-as-2025-deadlines-hit-subway-wendys-crumbl-face-scrutiny-over-cage-free-egg-failures-amid-bird-flu-crisis-302410035.html |access-date=2025-05-01 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Wage violations===
A 2021 report on [[wage theft]] by the [[Center for Public Integrity]] named Circle K as one of the "worst offenders" in the United States.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://publicintegrity.org/inequality-poverty-opportunity/workers-rights/cheated-at-work/ripping-off-workers-with-no-consequences/ | title=Ripping off workers without consequences | publisher=[[Center for Public Integrity]] | date=2021-05-04 | first1=Alexia | last1=Fernández Campbell | first2=Joe | last2=Yerardi}}</ref> A [[class-action lawsuit]] was brought against the company in 2014,<ref>{{cite news | date=2014-06-17 | url=https://knpr.org/knpr/2014-06/convenience-store-employees-sue-overtime-pay | publisher=[[KNPR]] | title=Convenience Store Employees Sue For Overtime Pay | last=Sieroty | first=Chris}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | date=2015-08-27 | url=https://csnews.com/judge-oks-circle-k-overtime-suit-national-class-action | title=Judge OKs Circle K Overtime Suit as National Class-Action | publisher=csnews.com}}</ref> for which the company agreed in 2019 to pay a [[settlement (litigation)|settlement]] of US$8.3 million.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/circle-k-settles-overtime-suit-in-las-vegas-for-about-8-3m-1564885/ | publisher=[[Las Vegas Review-Journal]] | title=Circle K settles overtime suit in Las Vegas for about $8.3M | last=Ferrara | first=David | date=2019-01-03}}</ref> Circle K settled a similar class-action lawsuit in 2015 as well.<ref>{{cite web | last=Bucher | first=Anne | url=https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/closed-settlements/circle-k-wage-and-hour-class-action-settlement/ | publisher=TopClassActions | date=2015-12-08 | title=Circle K Wage and Hour Class Action Settlement}}</ref>

==Products==
[[File:Lawson's Chip Dip.jpg|left|thumb|A tub of Lawson's [[French onion dip|French onion chip dip]] from a Circle K store in [[Bowling Green, Ohio]]. Lawson's chip dip is sold as a [[private label]] item at Circle K locations in its [[Great Lakes]] division.|205x205px]]
[[Fountain drink]]s at Circle K are sold in Polar Pop cups, previously called Thirst Busters, and are available in [[expanded polystyrene]] cups. In areas where expanded polystyrene containers are illegal, plastic or paper cups are offered. The 52-ounce cups are plastic. Most American locations offer any size, 32 ounce or under, for under $1, while 52 ounces or above cups are priced at over a dollar. The price point of its 44-ounce size (marketed as "Epic XL" in some regions) may vary, as it may be under or over $1, depending on the region.

The Polar Pop was first introduced in Bigfoot convenience stores by Johnson Oil Company in [[Columbus, Indiana]], prior to its acquisition by Alimentation Couche-Tard in 2003. In 2005, Circle K filed a trademark for Polar Pop. In 2007, Circle K reached a settlement agreement with Polar Beverages regarding the use of the Polar Pop name. As of 2018, Circle K sells 17 Polar Pops every second in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Circle K Kicks Off First Multi-National Polar Pop Promo|url=https://csnews.com/circle-k-kicks-first-multi-national-polar-pop-promo|access-date=2021-05-23|website=Convenience Store News|language=en}}</ref>

The [[Froster]], which was introduced to Mac's stores in 1998, became very popular throughout [[Western Canada]] and [[Ontario]]. The American version of the Froster was introduced in 1999.

Circle K locations in the Great Lakes division ([[Indiana]], [[Kentucky]], [[Michigan]], [[Ohio]], [[Pennsylvania]] and [[West Virginia]]) carry Lawson's branded [[chip dip]], which while primarily a carryover from the former Lawson's/Dairy Mart stores also spread to stores within the Great Lakes division that Couche-Tard has acquired. Following the company's acquisition of GetGo in 2025, GetGo also started carrying Lawson's chip dip, though the locations divested to MAPCO was forced to stop selling it since it is a [[private label]] product of Circle K.<ref>{{cite web | title=Will new MAPCO stores in Northeast Ohio carry Lawson's Chip Dip? What we know | url=https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2025/07/16/lawsons-chip-dip-what-we-know-will-mapco-stores-carry-it/85195293007/ }}</ref>

==Sponsorship==
Circle K was a part-time primary sponsor of the No. 28 [[IndyCar Series]] racecar driven by [[Ryan Hunter-Reay]] of [[Andretti Autosport]] between 2011 and 2013. In 2014, it switched to [[KVSH Racing]] driver [[Sébastien Bourdais]]. Circle K, along with [[Oberto Sausage Company]], currently sponsors [[Marco Andretti]].

In 2017, Circle K went to [[NASCAR]], sponsoring [[Matt Kenseth]] and [[Joe Gibbs Racing]] with full livery for six races. It was on the car when Kenseth won his final NASCAR Cup Race at that year's [[2017 Can-Am 500 | fall race at Phoenix Raceway]].

Also in 2017, Circle K became the official shirt sponsor of [[United Soccer League]] side [[North Carolina FC]]<ref>{{cite web|title=North Carolina Football Club Unveils Jersey Sponsorships For NCFC And NC Courage|url=http://www.northcarolinafc.com/news/2017/03/20/north-carolina-football-club-unveils-jersey-sponsorships-for-north-carolina-fc-and-north-carolina-courage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116095433/hhttp://www.northcarolinafc.com/news/2017/03/20/north-carolina-football-club-unveils-jersey-sponsorships-for-north-carolina-fc-and-north-carolina-courage|archive-date=November 16, 2017|website=northcarolinafc.com|url-status=dead|access-date=2019-10-12}}</ref> and signed a two-year sponsorship agreement with the [[Lietuvos krepšinio lyga|Lithuanian Basketball League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=LKL rėmėjų gretas papildė dar viena itin solidi įmonė|url=http://www.krepsinis.net/naujiena/lkl-remeju-gretas-papilde-dar-viena-itin-solidi-imone/278291|access-date=October 8, 2017|work=Krepsinis.net|publisher=Lithuanian Basketball League|date=October 6, 2017|language=lt}}</ref>

Due to its sizable presence in [[Greater Cleveland]], from the former Lawson/Dairy Mart stores, Circle K sponsors the [[Cleveland Guardians]] [[strikeout]] sign. It is located in center field at [[Progressive Field]] in [[Cleveland, Ohio]]. The "K" logo represents the "K" used for strikeouts in traditional [[baseball scorekeeping]] and is replicated with each strikeout. The same sponsorship is in place with the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] at [[Chase Field]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]]. If the Diamondbacks strikeout ten batters or more, the game's attendees receive a [[voucher]] for a free cup of Polar Pop, while Guardians fans receive the same voucher after select home games.

In May 2017, a sponsored Circle K Power Cube was introduced into the online game ''[[Ingress (video game)|Ingress]]''.<ref>{{Cite web| title = After the success of their XM folding research produced enhanced Power Cubes,...| access-date = February 12, 2018| url = https://plus.google.com/+Ingress/posts/eXx3Dtmx7PA}}</ref>

In 2025, Circle K became the official convenience store sponsor of [[Minor League Baseball]], with signage and activations at most ballparks within the United States.<ref name="Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K">{{cite web |title=Minor League Baseball partners with Circle K |url=https://www.milb.com/news/minor-league-baseball-partners-with-circle-k |website=milb.com |publisher=Minor League Baseball |access-date=July 15, 2025 |date=April 3, 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Arizona|Companies}}
* [[Circle K Sunkus]]
* [[List of automotive fuel retailers]]
* [[List of convenience stores]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Circle K}}
*{{official website|https://www.circlek.com/}} USA and Canada site
<!--{{Commons category|Circle K Ireland}} not found-->
*{{official website|https://www.circlek.ie/}} Ireland site
{{Convenience stores}}

[[Category:1951 establishments in Texas]]
[[Category:American subsidiaries of foreign companies]]
[[Category:Alimentation Couche-Tard]]
[[Category:Companies based in Tempe, Arizona]]
[[Category:Convenience stores of Canada]]
[[Category:Convenience stores of the United States]]
[[Category:Franchises]]
[[Category:Li & Fung]]
[[Category:Gas stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1951]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1990]]
[[Category:2003 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1951]]