Market News

Couche-Tard Poised to Expand—Again

Convenience store behemoth Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has announced its readiness to grow once more by acquisition. Couche-Tard CEO Alain Bouchard has intimated that his firm is in a financial position to handle a deal for $1 billion or more. Bouchard nixed the idea of a bid for the Dunkin' Donuts enterprise. More likely purchase candidates, say industry experts, are a handful of corner-store chains. Couche-Tard has led the consolidation of c-store chains in North America. Almost two years ago, the Laval, Que.-based company bought the American Circle K chain. In its last fiscal year, the company bought 49 stores, opened 44 c-store-contained fast-food restaurant counters and renovated 223 stores. With 4,845 convenience stores in North America, Couche-Tarde is the second largest, behind 7-Eleven Inc. Source: Canadian Grocer E-Newsletter, July 29, 2005.