Alimentation Couche-Tard acquires 17 U.S. convenience stores

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. acquired 17 U.S. convenience stores operating primarily under the Purple Cow banner, as well as 23 wholesale fuels accounts across three southeastern states.

The assets and accounts were owned and operated by Slidell Oil Company of Slidell, Louisiana. Slidell Oil's principal owners are brothers Keith and Brian Baker, third-generation owners who have managed the company since the early 2000s.

Slidell Oil traces its roots back to the 1940's and has a proud history in both the convenience retail and wholesale fuels business, primarily in Louisiana and Alabama.

The Slidell Oil assets are large, modern, high-volume facilities that Couche-Tard said will complement the existing Circle K portfolio in the region. On the fuel side, the wholesale accounts will further complement Circle K's wholesale fuels business. The acquisition closed on December 16, 2021.

"We are very pleased to add Slidell Oil's high-quality locations and fueling assets to our growing footprint along the Gulf Coast," said Alex Miller, Couche-Tard's EVP, operations, North America, and global commercial optimization. "As we expand our presence in the area, we look forward to bringing the Circle K experience to new customers and making their lives a little easier every day."

Laval, Que.-based Couche-Tard is a global leader in convenience and fuel retail, operating in 26 countries and territories, with close to 14,200 stores, of which approximately 10,800 offer road transportation fuel. With its Couche-Tard and Circle K banners, the company is one of the largest independent convenience store operator in the United States and it is a leader in the convenience store industry and road transportation fuel retail in Canada, Scandinavia, the Baltics, as well as in Ireland. The company also has presence in Poland and Hong Kong SAR.