Circle K vs APlus Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Circle K Franchise
APlus Franchise
Investment $189,250 - $1,927,640$250,000 - $600,000
Franchise Fee $25,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 2.5%-5.5%-
Advertising Fee 1.5%-
Year Founded 19511985
Year Franchised 19951993
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Circle K Franchise
APlus Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Circle K Franchise
APlus Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/Yes-/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
Circle K Franchise
APlus Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 24 hours Classroom Training: 56 hours-
Support Ongoing Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Field Operations Franchisee Intranet Platform -
Marketing Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
Operations Number of employees required to run: 10-

Expansion Plans
 
Circle K Franchise
APlus Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

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.

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






About APlus

Thank you for you interest in the APlus franchise program, operated by Sunoco inc., (R&M). APlus has identified the needs of busy consumers and provides quality and convenience merchandise to meet the needs of today's busy lifestyle. APlus stores appeal to a variety of shoppers; commuters enjoying a hot cup of Gulliver's coffee, neighborhood shoppers filling in last minute items or customers that want to satisfy cravings for food to go, snacks and cold drinks.

The APlus Franchise Program offers exceptional business systems, extensive training and quality marketing tools. We provide ongoing business support and are backed by the Sunoco brand, long recognized as an industry leader. We encourage you to review our program and consider how you may join our successful Franchise community. If you are interested in aligning yourself with a top quality brand, a tremendously dedicated group of business people and support backed by the resources of a company that has a track record of success, we invite you learn more about APlus.