Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is acquiring 45 fuel and convenience retail sites from Big Red Stores, a company originally founded in 1997 by Doug and David Hendrix, that has grown mainly organically by opening new sites over the years. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2023.

"We are very pleased to add Big Red Stores' high-quality locations to our footprint in the state of Arkansas," says Alex Miller, Couche-Tard's COO. "Doug and David built an exceptional network of stores and people, and we believe our values are congruent with the culture they've spent a quarter-century building. We are honored to be stewards of their legacy. As we expand our presence in the area, we look forward to bringing the Circle K experience to new customers and making their lives a little easier every day."

The transaction includes modern, high quality, and well-located sites across the state of Arkansas. All 45 sites are company-owned, company-operated sites of which real estate is owned for 44 sites and leased for one site.

The chain features large format stores that have ample space for enhanced foodservice and product offerings.