Couche-Tard Plans to Buy Polish C-Store Chain

Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (Laval, Que.) has unveiled plans to acquire a controlling stake in Poland’s Zabka Group (Poznan), that country’s largest convenience retailer. Couche-Tard said it will pay about $8.48 per share, or about $8.6 billion, an offer that has the support of owners of 57% of Zabka’s outstanding shares.

Zabka runs 13,000 stores in its home country and Romania. Couche-Tard is no stranger to Poland, as it has about 400 representatives of it Circle K brand there. (Overall, the Canadian firm operates about 17,300 stores in 27 countries and territories; that includes roughly 7300 stores in the U.S. and 2100 in its home country.)

In its coverage of the deal, C-Store Dive said, “While Couche-Tard’s recent attempt to buy 7-Eleven parent company Seven & i Holdings didn’t come to fruition, it showed the company was ready and willing to make a big move. This agreement gives it access to a large, tech-forward retailer.”

Said Alex Miller, President and CEO of Alimentation Couche-Tard: “This is a transformational investment for Couche-Tard and an important milestone in our growth journey. Zabka has built one of Europe’s most impressive convenience retail businesses, combining a powerful customer proposition with an entrepreneurial franchise model, a highly disciplined and proven operating platform, and a strong track record of growth.”

As for Zabka, CEO and Chairperson Tomasz Suchański said: “Today’s announcement reflects the strength of our business, the power of our brand and the long-term value we have created together.”

The deal is slated to close by the end of this year.