Circle K Stores, Inc. is an international chain of convenience stores, and the largest
independent convenience store operator in the U.S. in terms of the number of company-
operated stores. Founded in 1951, Circle K has become one of the most widely recognized
convenience store brands, known worldwide for quality products and great customer service.
The chain currently has over 6630 stores in the U.S. across 47 states, with additional locations
in more than 24 countries and territories. They also operate a network of more than 2,500 car
wash locations. Circle K Stores was acquired by the Canadian multinational company Couche-
Tard in 2003. The company is headquartered in Tempe, AZ.
Alimentation Couche-Tard, or simply Couche-Tard (TSE: ATD) is a Canadian multinational
operator of convenience stores. The company is the 3rd largest convenience store operator in
the world and has approximately 16,700 stores across 29 countries and territories, and
approximately 150,000 employees. The Couche-Tard company umbrella mostly operates
through three brands: Touche-Tard its flagship brand, as well as Circle K and Indigo, a network
of automated fuel sites in Sweden and Denmark. In 2022, the company acquired True Blue Car
Wash, LLC, an operator of 65 car wash sites (AZ, TX, IL, IN) under the banners of Clean Freak
and Rainstorm. The company has an investment grade S&P rating of BBB+ and a long-term
Moody’s credit rating of Baa1. In 2023 they had a market cap of $56.79B and earned over
$68.36B in revenue. The company is headquartered in Laval, Quebec, Canada.