Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.  Tuesday bulked up its operations in the U.S. Midwest by agreeing to acquire 55 convenience stores and related assets from privately-held Tri Star Marketing Inc. for an undisclosed amount in cash.
Quebec-based Couche-Tard, which operates Circle K and other convenience stores, said 51 of the stores are in Illinois and the remaining four in Indiana. The stores currently operate under the Super Pantry brand and offer Phillips 66  and Mobil branded motor fuel.
It said the stores will carry the Circle K banner after the purchase closes, but that it intends to keep the existing fuel brands. It will acquire the land and buildings for 54 of the 55 locations, while leasing the single remaining location.
In 2010, Couche-Tard launched a $1.9 billion hostile offer for another Midwest corner-store operator, Casey's General Stores Inc., but was forced to abandon the bid after several months. It made a large foray into Europe in 2012 when it acquiredStatoil AS  A's retail arm for about $2.8 billion.
More recently, Couche-Tard acquired 23 stores in the state of New Mexico late last year for an undisclosed amount.
It said that, with the purchase announced Tuesday, its Circle K Midwest Division will include a total of 600 company-operated stores and 193 locations under wholesale or franchise agreement. Globally, the company's network includes more than 13,000 sites.