Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Alimentation Couche-Tard is a retailer which was established in 1980 in Quebec, Canada by Alain Bouchard. Nowadays, Alimentation Couche-Tard has become the leader in the convenience store industry in Canada. It also operates a mobile app.

The company has grown massively through major acquisitions over the years and now operates 8800 stores in Canada and USA, under the banners Couche-Tard, Mac’s and Circle K. The company has also expanded in the US, Europe and Asia. Alimentation Couche-Tard also runs over 4,400 Circle K stores in more than 12 countries.

Over time, Alimentation Couche-Tard has developed into a large company through the acquisition of various firms.  In 1994, the company acquired 86 Perrette stores and in 1997, it took over C Corp which included 245 provi-soir stores and 50 Wink’s stores. By 2001, the company acquired the Johnson Oil company and in 2002, it acquired Tabatout network. 

In 2003, the group took over Circle K Corporation but also obtained the Franchise Licence to develop Dunkin’ Donuts in Quebec. 

Alimentation Couche-Tard achieved a turnover of €36.8 billion in 2021, up by 13.59% compared to 2020, and globally, the company employs 63 000 employees. 

The business offers products in the following categories: 

• Sweet Grocery: candy, snacks, chocolates, cereals, etc
• Savory Grocery: soup, pasta, flour, etc
• Dairy: milk, eggs, cheese, etc
• Chilled & Fresh Food: bacon and many others
• Personal care: oral care, baby care and many others
• Drinks: soft drinks, beer, juice, etc

Alimentation Couche-Tard offers products from brands such as Maynards, Red Bull, Coca Cola, Old Dutch and Sleemon. 

Furthermore, the coffee, Tout Simplement Bon, sold by the company in Europe is certified by the Rainforest Alliance.

The Breakfast Club partnered with Alimentation Couche-Tard to provide breakfast for school children as well as the foundation, Les Petits Trésors, to support children and adolescents suffering from mental health disorders in Quebec.

Several commitments in relation to the United Nations’ sustainable development goals have been made by Alimentation Couche-Tard. The company is planning to offer only free-range eggs in all its stores by 2025. Alimentation Couche-Tard has also reduced its electricity consumption by 17.9% and its greenhouse gases reduction by 10.7%.