| 1965 |
The “Pepe” logo is introduced illustrating a young boy dashing to the nearest Circle K store. |
| 1966 |
Circle K opens its 200th store in Tucson, Arizona. |
| 1971 |
The Foodservice Division is introduced and sandwiches are made in the company’s fast food kitchen.
The company marks its 20th anniversary with the opening of its 500th Circle K store in Deer Valley, Arizona. |
| 1975 |
The 1,000th store is opened on Christmas Day in Lehi, Utah. |
| 1979 |
Circle K signs its first licensing agreement with a Japanese retail chain. |
| 1983 |
The Thirst Buster® fountain drink is introduced.
Circle K acquires 960 UtoteM stores doubling the company’s size. |
| 1984 |
Sales reach the $1 billion mark.
Circle K acquires 435 Little General stores.
Circle K adopts United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) as its national charity and begins fundraising efforts in its stores. |
| 1990 |
After years of rapid expansion and learning the hard lessons of 1980s corporate economics, Circle K files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. |
| 1993 |
The company is purchased by Investcorp, an international investment group, and emerges from bankruptcy.
The tagline “Circle K – We’re on the Way” is introduced. |
| 1994 |
The tagline “Circle K – A Better Way” is introduced. |
| 1995 |
Circle K completes an initial public offering of 6.5 million shares of common stock. The company stock is traded under the symbol CRK on the New York Stock Exchange.
Circle K launches Emily’s Meals & More, a new business venture in the home meal replacement category.
Circle K forms a marketing alliance to sell 76-branded gasoline at stores in Arizona and Nevada. |
| 1996 |
Circle K is acquired by Tosco Corporation, an independent petroleum refiner and marketer. The company keeps its headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. |
| 1997 |
The Arizona Republic votes Circle K coffee the “Best Cup of Coffee” in Phoenix. |
| 1998 |
Thirst Freezer®, the Circle K proprietary brand of ICEE, is introduced.
Circle K is named the “Official Pit Stop of NASCAR.”
The Circle K Domestic Franchise Program is launched. |
| 1999 |
Fred Hervey, Circle K’s founder, dies at the age of 90 in his hometown of El Paso, Texas. |
| 2001 |
Circle K celebrates 50 years of fast, friendly service.
Phillips Petroleum Company, headquartered in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, acquires Tosco Corporation and the Circle K brand. |
| 2002 |
Phillips Petroleum Company and Conoco Inc. merge to create ConocoPhillips, headquartered in Houston, Texas. ConocoPhillips becomes the new owner of Circle K. |
|
2003 |
The company launches a new creative campaign for the Circle K brand with the tagline “What Else Do You Need?” |
|
2003 |
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. acquires The Circle K Corporation |