Express Mart vs Circle K Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Express Mart vs Circle K including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Express Mart Franchise
Circle K Franchise
Investment $86,200 - $361,000$189,250 - $1,927,640
Franchise Fee $15,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 4%2.5%-5.5%
Advertising Fee -1.5%
Year Founded 19751951
Year Franchised 19901995
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Express Mart Franchise
Circle K Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Express Mart Franchise
Circle K Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
Inventory No/Yes-/-
Receivables No/Yes-/-
Payroll No/Yes-/-

Training & Support
 
Express Mart Franchise
Circle K Franchise
Training Available at headquartersOn-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 56 hours
Support Meetings, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesOngoing Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (33% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Number of employees required to run: 10

Expansion Plans
 
Express Mart Franchise
Circle K Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion No-
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About Express Mart

Express Mart, founded in 1975 by Frank Borer, has locations in strip malls and gas stations across the northeastern United States. The company is involved in co-branding partnerships with McDonald's, Wendy's, Domino's Pizza, Subway and Dunkin' Donuts, as well as local partnerships with Jreck Subs and Mark's Pizza.

About Circle K

Why would you open a Circle K Franchise? We may be biased, but we think the convenience store industry - already massive in size - is poised for growth in the future. So why franchise with Circle K? Because it's a win-win proposition for you. If you are already an independent store owner with little or no local competition, Circle K can provide you operational advantages to keep you on top. If you're an independent store owner who competes against a large, nationally recognized convenience store chain, you need to have a powerful brand of your own - Circle K - to help you retain your existing customers and attract new ones.

At Circle K, our mission is to be the best and most convenient place to shop, and work. Our stores are known around the world for offering busy consumers a wide variety of quality products and services in a fast, friendly, and clean environment.

Your neighborhood Circle K store features our award-winning brand of the Freshest Coffee Going,® ThirstBuster® fountain drinks, beer, snacks, candy, ATMs, Talk And Go® Mobile prepaid wireless phones, Gift Cards, money orders, and general merchandise.

Many Circle K locations also sell quality branded fuels including Shell, BP, Marathon, 76®, Citgo, and Chevron.

The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Circle K convenience store franchise is from $614,250 to $1,927,640 for a newly constructed Circle K Store and $189,250 to $1,020,640 if you are converting an existing convenience store to a Circle K Store. This includes $26,000 to $27,750 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates whether you open a newly constructed Circle K Store or if you convert an existing convenience store to a Circle K Store.
If you purchase an existing company-operated Circle K Store from us, the amount you will pay to the franchisor is difficult to estimate based on real estate costs as well as the ancillary businesses usually associated with a convenience store and varies depending on the purchase price the franchisor negotiates.
The total investment necessary to begin operations of a Branded Business is from $8,390 to $67,390. Of this amount, there are not any fees paid to the franchisor or an affiliate.
The total investment increases to $553,390 to $1,902,390 for a newly constructed or rebuilt Motor Fuel Business and $133,390 to $1,337,390 if you are converting an existing forecourt to a Motor Fuel Business. This includes $20,000 to $50,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or their affiliates. The total investment noted in this paragraph for a Branded Business or a Motor Fuel Business is in addition to the total investment necessary to begin operations of the Circle K convenience store franchise.
Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee
"Top    ""   "Entrepreneur
#4 in Canada's top franchises.

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#88 on Franchise Rankings.com
#174 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#88 in Franchise 500 for 2021.