Circle K Wikipedia (2024)

FAQs

Does China own Circle K? ›

Circle K Stores, Inc. is an American chain of convenience stores headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, and owned by Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc., based in Laval, Quebec, Canada.

No, it doesn't stand for “konvenience.” It stands for Kay. Let me explain. The letter “K” was taken from the name of three Kay's Drive-In Grocery outlets located in El Paso, Texas. Circle K founder Fred Harvey bought the stores from Kay Misenheimer in 1951 and they formed the basis for the future Circle K empire.

Circle K is an international chain of convenience stores owned by Alimentation Couche-Tard. The brand is the flagship international brand of the company, and has largely replaced other brands previously used or acquired by the company.

Circle K Stores are owned by Alimentation Couche-Tard, the largest convenience store operator in Canada. We are recognized for our strong food service brands, Simply Great Coffee, and of course our icy cold, flavour abundant Frosters.

Circle K is a division of Laval, Quebec-based Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Shell Oil Co. is a subsidiary of The Netherlands-based Royal Dutch Shell plc.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., the Canadian operator of more than 5,800 convenience stores, agreed to acquire locations in California from ExxonMobil Corp. after a bid to boost its U.S. presence failed last year.

Laval, Canada

Circle K / Headquarters

"The acquisition of MAPCO aligns perfectly with our long-term growth and expansion plans,” said Ben Smith, Majors' president. “We are confident that this transaction will bring together the strengths and expertise of two industry leaders to better serve the evolving needs of customers and markets.”

Who is the CEO of Circle K? ›

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., Canada's most valuable retailer, tapped Chief Operating Officer Alex Miller to take over as CEO as the company explores more merger and acquisition deals. Miller, who has been with the company almost 13 years, will take over Sept. 6 when Brian Hannasch retires.

In 2017, Holiday was acquired by Alimentation Couche-Tard, one of the world's leading convenience retailers, and became part of the Circle K family of stores. Couche-Tard developed Circle K into a global brand, represented in over 20 countries.

Our roots trace back to 1951 when Fred Hervey purchased three Kay's Food Stores in El Paso, Texas. Little did anyone know that these stores would serve as the beginning of Circle K.

In addition, under licensing agreements, more than 2,380 stores are operated under the Circle K banner in 15 other countries and territories (Cambodia, China, Egypt, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Macau, Mexico, Mongolia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam), which brings the ...

Alimentation Couche-Tard and Majors Management have completed their transactions and finalized their acquisition of MAPCO Express and its assets from previous owner Compañía de Petróleos de Chile S.A. (COPEC).

At the end of 2020, we embarked on a new milestone, as the international company Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT) acquired the franchise business of Circle K Hong Kong, and we will become an important base for ACT's expansion into Asia.

Today, 7‑Eleven, Inc. is wholly owned by Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.