Circle K

Overview

Circle K is a highly sought after net lease C-store tenant. Investors are attracted to their fully passive NNN leases which are backed by an investment grade corporate guarantee from the parent company Alimentation Couche-Tard inc. Circle K stores also feature strong real estate security, since they are almost always located at high traffic intersections. Furthermore, many Circle K stores feature gasoline options, so investors can take advantage of the accelerated depreciation when considering building improvements.

Lowest Cap Rate

4.00%

Lowest cap rate over past 24 months

Average Cap Rate

5.40%

12 mo avg with 5+ yr lease term

Average Property & Lease
Average Sale Price $1,750,000 - $2,250,000
Average NOI $100,000 - $150,000
Building SF 3,000
Lease Term 15 Years
Escalations 10% Every 5 Years
Stock Symbol CAPITALCOM:US500
CREDIT RATING
S&P

BBB

Moody's

Baa2

Tenant Description

With locations found mostly in the south and western half of the U.S., Circle K currently has over 3300 retail stores throughout the United States. Altogether, more than four thousand properties are owned globally. From China, Mexico, Japan, and even the UAE, Circle K has successfully owned and operated their convenience stores for fifty years and counting.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., is the current parent corporation for Circle K. Putting aside whether petroleum products and services might be offered at any specific designation, they are technically the biggest corporate run convenience store location throughout all of North America.

In fact, the Canadian Couche-Tard employs approximately fifty three thousand employees, spanning 3 primary brands. Circle K, Mac’s, and Couche-Tard. When taken together, they bring in more than $15.8 billion in revenues per annum, with an estimated twenty five million people being serviced every week.

Apparently, changing their branding and consolidating acquisitions has helped pay dividends. The repurposing of Dairy Mart, Bigfoot, Handy Andy, and Mac’s have now merged under the Circle K brand since 2005. Additionally, there are twenty six storefronts under different branding through Chico Enterprises located in Morgantown, WV.

Another recent purchase was the ninety store Spectrum property chain, located in the states of GA and AL.  Other company acquisitions and mergers include the Missouri-based CFM chain, along with thirty five separate Sterling Dairy properties originating from Ohio.

PROS
  • Depreciation is accelerated on all improvements because of industry
  • Choice locations provide for solid real estate strength
  • Guaranteed by company, investor graded
  • Rent increases are periodic with NNN leasing
CONS
  • Repurposing real estate on smaller parcels may prove difficult
  • Petroleum concerns with surrounding environment, despite indemnification
COMPANY QUICK STATS
Founded 1951
Headquarters Tempe, Arizona
Number of Locations 15,000+
Revenue $27 B
Company Website https://www.circlek.com
Key Principal Brian Hannasch

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