Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., based in Laval, Quebec, has set its sights on acquiring the Polish convenience store operator Zabka Group after previously unsuccessful attempts to purchase a French grocer and a major global convenience store chain. The proposed offer for a controlling stake in Zabka is valued at over $12 billion, with a tender price of 32 Polish zloty per share.
If the deal is finalized, it would mark the largest acquisition in Couche-Tard’s history, aligning with its strategic goal of significant expansion. Zabka, known for its more than 13,000 convenience stores in Poland and Romania, complements Couche-Tard’s existing network of 17,300 stores across 27 countries.
Both companies share similarities in their product offerings, with a focus on beverages, snacks, and hot food items. Zabka’s emphasis on quick-serve meals and autonomous locations contrasts with Couche-Tard’s strength in beverages and fuel sales, operating around 13,200 stores with gas stations.
During discussions about the potential transaction, Couche-Tard’s CEO Alex Miller emphasized the collaborative nature of the acquisition, highlighting the synergies between the two companies in serving customers effectively. The expected cost savings of approximately $250 million within three years further underlines the strategic rationale behind the deal.
The decision to pursue Zabka follows previous acquisition attempts by Couche-Tard, including a failed bid for the French grocery chain Carrefour SA in 2021 and an abandoned proposal to acquire Seven & i Holdings, the parent company of 7-Eleven, in 2024. The agreement with Zabka is subject to regulatory approvals and is anticipated to be completed by December.
The level of integration between Zabka and Couche-Tard post-acquisition remains to be determined, with options ranging from full integration to maintaining Zabka as a public entity on the Polish stock exchange. Analysts view the proposed acquisition as a strategic move that aligns with Couche-Tard’s growth objectives, pending regulatory considerations and financial impacts.