Couche-Tard’s 750-Store Expansion: A $2 Billion Opportunity for Commercial Contractors
Executive Brief
The Gist: Couche-Tard (Circle K’s parent company) just announced 750 new company-operated convenience stores over the next 5 years, with 100 new builds completing in 2026 alone.
- The Trap: Most contractors will chase the general contractor—but the real money is in pre-qualifying NOW for mechanical, electrical, and site work packages before the RFP circus starts.
- The Play: Target regional developers handling the “small acquisitions” portion—these retrofit jobs have faster timelines, less competition, and immediate 2025-2026 cash flow.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just another corporate press release. Couche-Tard operates over 16,000 stores globally and reported $17.8 billion in revenue last quarter. When they say “750 stores,” they’re committing roughly $2-3 million per site in construction spend—that’s a $1.5 to $2.25 billion market opening up RIGHT NOW.
Here’s what 30 years in commercial construction taught me: The contractors who win these packages aren’t the ones who wait for the bid invitation. They’re the ones who called the regional VP of construction in March 2025, got on the pre-qualified vendor list, and locked in pricing agreements BEFORE the lumber and copper markets spike again in Q3.
The “small acquisitions” angle is critical. Couche-Tard will buy existing gas stations and rebrand them—meaning HVAC retrofits, electrical upgrades to support EV charging infrastructure, ADA compliance work, and interior demolition. These jobs are 4-8 week turnarounds with less regulatory red tape than ground-up builds. If you’re an HVAC or electrical contractor doing $500K-$2M annually, THIS is your lane. One retrofit package could be worth $75K-$150K per site.
Contractor FAQ
Q: Should I pursue the new builds or the acquisition retrofits?
A: If you’re under $5M in annual revenue, chase the retrofits—faster payment cycles, less bonding requirements, and you can handle 3-4 simultaneously without adding field staff.
Q: What’s the financial timeline for getting paid on these jobs?
A: Corporate c-store chains typically pay general contractors on NET-30, but as a subcontractor, expect 45-60 days unless you negotiate progress billing—demand it in your contract or your cash flow will choke by site three.
Q: How do I get on Couche-Tard’s vendor list before my competitors?
A: Go to their corporate website, find the “Supplier Portal,” and submit your prequalification package NOW—include your EMR rate, bonding capacity, and photos of similar c-store work (even if it was for 7-Eleven or Wawa, they don’t care about brand loyalty at the vendor level).
Q: What’s the biggest mistake contractors make on c-store builds?
A: Underestimating the permit and utility coordination timelines—gas line inspections and underground tank work can add 3-6 weeks you didn’t budget for, killing your labor efficiency and profit margin.
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Author: Mike Warner
About the Founder Kore Komfort Solutions is an Army veteran-owned digital platform led by a 30-year veteran of the construction and remodeling trades. After three decades of swinging hammers and managing crews across the United States, I’ve shifted my focus from the job site to the back office. Our New Mission: To help residential contractors move from "chaos" to "profit." We provide honest, field-tested software reviews, operational playbooks, and insights into the AI revolution—empowering the next generation of trade business owners to build companies that last.