Circle K

Founded: 1951 Franchising since: 1995
The Circle K convenience store chain got its start in 1951, when Fred Hervey bought three Kay's Food Stores in El Paso, Texas. Over the next few decades, he expanded the company throughout the Southwestern U.S. through a series of acquisitions, and took it international in 1979 with a licensing agreement that brought the stores to Japan.

The company began franchising in 1999, and today Circle K stores can be found throughout the Southern, Western and Southwestern U.S., as well as in six other countries.

Address: 1130 W. Warner Rd. Tempe, Arizona 85284

Phone: (602)728-8000

Franchise Units

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	469	0	3,704	2,853
2008	460	0	3,625	2,627
2007	439	0	3,403	2,661
2006	596	0	3,411	2,145

Where Seeking Franchisees
Nationwide
Worldwide

Exclusive territories available.

Total investment: $161,000 - $1,353,000
Franchise fee: $15,000
Ongoing royalty fee: 4%
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable


Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	No	No
Equipment	Yes	No
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $500,000
Cash liquidity requirement: $200,000
Business Experience:

• General business experience

Operations

• 15% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

Training

• Available at headquarters: 2 weeks
• At franchisee's location: 2 weeks

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Security/safety procedures
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising

Franchise 500® rank:
#25 (2010); #9 (2009); #17 (2008);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#20 (2010); #9 (2009); #25 (2008);