Circle K Parent Company Makes Unsolicited Bid to Acquire 7-Eleven

[Sanjeev Advani]

Alimentation Couche-Tard, the parent company of Circle K, has made an unsolicited offer to acquire Seven & I Holdings, the owner of 7-Eleven. The proposed $38.5 billion deal would combine two major players in the U.S. convenience store market, potentially controlling 20% of the market.

7-Eleven, the largest U.S. convenience store chain with 12,601 locations, currently holds 14.5% of the market. Couche-Tard’s Circle K and other brands account for 4.6%. The combined entity would pose a significant challenge to other competitors.

The offer is still under review by a special committee of Seven & I’s independent directors, with no guarantee of a final agreement. This potential merger could significantly reshape the U.S. convenience store landscape, continuing the industry’s trend of growth through acquisitions.