Kangaroo Express changing to Circle K

Published 9:48 am Tuesday, September 22, 2015

CARY – Kangaroo Express stores throughout the Southeast U.S. will be rebranded to Circle K, a new global convenience brand.

Starting in January 2016, all existing Kangaroo Express stores will become part of a new global Circle K brand. This new brand will replace Couche-Tard’s existing Kangaroo Express, Circle K, Mac’s and Statoil retail brands in the U.S., Canada, Europe and several other countries worldwide.

Kangaroo Express stores will be among the first to be rebranded. The Province of Quebec in Canada will retain the company’s founding Couche-Tard retail brand due to the specifics of that market.

Couche-Tard President & CEO Brian Hannasch says, “This is not about simply combining two brands in the Southeast and rebranding Kangaroo Express to Circle K. It is about creating a new, global brand together. Adopting a single global brand will make us stronger, reinforce our culture and help us focus on making our customers’ day that little bit easier.”

The Pantry Inc. is the parent company of Kangaroo Express. The Pantry started as a single location in 1967 in Sanford, and today there are more than 1,500 Kangaroo Express convenience store locations in 13 states throughout the southeastern U.S.

In March 2015, The Pantry was acquired by Couche-Tard.

The existing Circle K is already Couche-Tard’s largest brand. It can be seen today on thousands of stores and service stations in 14 countries around the world.

The new Circle K brand aspires to become the world’s preferred destination for convenience and fuel. “Whether you visit Circle K in Canada, U.S., Europe, or elsewhere, our aim is to offer the same easy shopping experience, the same fast and friendly service and the products you want, all designed for people on the go,” Hannasch said.

Taking the lead for the Kangaroo Express transformation in the Southeast is Darrell Davis, senior vice president operations for Couche-Tard. “This is an exciting time for Kangaroo Express locations and communities, as they are amongst the first in the world to adopt the new Circle K brand,” says Davis. “This is much more than a signage exercise. With this global transition we are strengthening our identity and the experience we will offer to all of our guests.”

The rebranding of Kangaroo Express stores to the new Circle K brand will be completed within six to nine months. The new brand will be part of an international family of nearly 15,000 convenience stores and service stations, employing more than 100,000 retailers under the Circle K brand – and more will be added in the years to come.