Circle K Logo

About Circle K

Circle K’s success in the convenience retailing industry spans more than 60 years. 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.

During the early years, Hervey’s enterprising spirit enabled the company to make its mark in the southwestern part of the United States. He grew the Circle K chain into neighboring New Mexico and Arizona. During the next few decades, Circle K grew its retail network through a series of acquisitions, which were incorporated into the Circle K brand. By 1975, there were 1,000 Circle K stores across the U.S. In 1979, Circle K entered the international market when a licensing agreement established the first Circle K stores in Japan. The company’s growth continued and, by 1984, sales had reached $1 billion.

In 1999, a franchise program was introduced to support operators looking to build a business with a leading convenience store brand. In 2003, Circle K was acquired by Alimentation Couche-Tard and has developed into a global brand represented in over 20 countries.

Circle K has become one of the most widely recognized convenience store brands, known worldwide for quality products and great customer service. We have come a long way since our humble beginnings, and we’re proud of where we’ve been and where we’re going. Please visit our timeline to learn more about the Circle K story.

Company Founded

1951

Current Leadership

Brian Hannasch, CEO

Started Franchising

1995 (26 years)

Total Number of Units

12,143 (as of 2020)

Part-Time / Full-Time

Full Time

Stock Ticker Symbol

ATD-B.TO

How Much Does It Cost To Open A Circle K Franchise?

There are several costs associated with opening a Circle K franchise. There is typically a franchise fee set by the franchisor, which covers the costs of opening a franchise location. Some other commons fees include equipment fees, marketing fees, licensing fees, insurance, and taxes, to name a few.

Some franchises may have a weekly fee that the franchisee pays for operating a Circle K franchise. The weekly fee for opening a Circle K franchise is Royalty Fees Are Payable Monthly On The 25Th Day Of Each Month By Electronic Funds Transfer.

The full breakdown of these fees can be found in the Financial Disclosure Document (FDD) provided to franchisees by the franchisor. The FDD report will contain additional information such as whether the franchise is renewable (Circle K Is Renewable) and does the franchise offer financing support (Circle K Circle K has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: equipment).

Circle K Company Details

Here are some additional details about Circle K.

Parent Company Alimentation Couche-Tard
Initial Investment $25,000
Net Worth Requirement $500,000
Veteran Incentives 10% off franchise fee
Royalty Fee 2.5-5.5%
Ad Royalty 1.50%
Cash Requirement $100,000
Term of Agreement 10 years
Absentee Ownership No
Run from Home No
Part Time No

Training and Support Offered By Circle K

Circle K offers several support options to its franchisees. With 12,143 (as of 2020) units, Circle K aims to provide support to each franchise owner to help them operate a successful franchise location. Circle K offers 32 hours on the job training, 48 hours classroom training, and No additional training.

Training and Support Offered

Here are the support options offered by Circle K.

On-The-Job Training 32 hours
Classroom Training 48 hours
Additional Training No
Ongoing Support
  • Newsletter
  • Meetings & Conventions
  • Toll-Free Line
  • Grand Opening
  • Online Support
  • Security & Safety Procedures
  • Field Operations
  • Site Selection
  • Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support
  • Regional Advertising
  • Social Media
  • SEO
  • Email Marketing
  • Loyalty Program/App
Circle K Logo

Is Circle K Right For You?

Circle K has gone digital! Here are all of the ways you can find Circle K online. Oftentimes, you can reach out to current franchisees of Circle K online. Current franchisees may be able to offer personalized insights into what it is like owning a Circle K franchise and offer tips to running a successful Circle K franchise location.

Social

Why Should You Start a Circle K Franchise?

Investing in a Retail franchise such as Circle K can kickstart your franchise portfolio. Our goal at Why Franchise is to provide you with the resources needed to be a successful franchise owner. Fill out the form below to get more information about Circle K franchise and we'll be in touch soon!

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