Millat Group’s subsidiary, Millat Convenience, announced that it will be bringing the Circle K brand to South Africa. The first store will be opened in October 2022.
Through a Master License Agreement with Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., Millat will be able to bring the Circle K brand to South Africa. The company was acquired in 2023.
The Circle K brand is a leading convenience store chain in the US that offers a variety of food and beverages. It also provides electric vehicle charging and fuel stations. With over 7,000 locations, it is second only to 7-Eleven.
Pat Fitzpatrick, Circle K’s vice president for international expansion, noted that the company’s presence in South Africa presents promising opportunities for its growth.
“Millat Group understands the South African consumer, has a strong track record of building retail, hospitality, and food service brands, and has exciting plans for the Circle K brand,” he said
As Circle K is the global brand of the company, its network now consists of over 14,100 locations in 24 countries. It also has 1,900 franchise locations in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
“This deal shows Millat’s strength in bringing willing international brands into South Africa to invest, creating job opportunities and economic growth,” said Millat Group CEO Hamza Farooqui.
“Bringing Circle K to South Africa aligns with our concept of introducing customer-centric brands, experiences, and compelling food service offerings.”
South Africa’s convenience retail sector is dominated by offerings at fuel station forecourts, including Engen Quick Shop, Shell Select, BP Express, Sasol Delight and Astron Energy Fresh Stop.
The sector is also increasingly being encroached upon by the larger retail brands, with Shoprite’s OK Express, Pick n Pay Express and Woolworths Food stores also making their way to forecourts across the country.
