Circle K convenience store chain

Overview

Circle K is a long‑running convenience‑store brand founded in 1951 when Fred Hervey purchased three Kay's Food Stores in El Paso, Texas and renamed them Circle K; the company later grew into a regional and then international convenience‑store chain. (en.wikipedia.org)

Headquarters and scale

Today Circle K is headquartered in Tempe, Arizona for its U.S. operations and is operated globally under the Circle K banner; the network spans many countries and thousands of locations, making it one of the world’s largest convenience‑store brands. (en.wikipedia.org)

Ownership and corporate structure

The Circle K brand and operating business were acquired by Alimentation Couche‑Tard in 2003; Circle K now functions as a major global retail banner within Couche‑Tard’s portfolio. Alimentation Couche‑Tard is headquartered in Laval, Quebec, Canada, and serves as the ultimate owner and corporate parent for Circle K worldwide. (sec.gov)

Manufacturing / Sourcing

As a convenience‑store retail chain (fuel and consumer goods), Circle K does not have a single “manufacturing country.” Products sold in Circle K stores are sourced from many manufacturers and suppliers across multiple countries; store operations and product assortments are managed locally or regionally depending on market and franchise arrangements. (en.wikipedia.org)

Subsidiary and local operations

Circle K operates through corporate subsidiaries (e.g., Circle K Stores, Inc.) and numerous local franchisees or licensees in specific markets; historically and currently some markets have local license arrangements or master franchise relationships. The global brand strategy and large‑scale rebrands have been driven by Alimentation Couche‑Tard since its acquisition. (en.wikipedia.org)