Press Release — Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (continued)Financial position as at April 25, 2004Principal balance sheet changes reflect the Circle K acquisition, which more than doubledtotalassets to $2.23 billion, compared with $1.07 billion as at April 27, 2003. Long-term debt (including the current portion) totalled $730.5 million as at April 25, 2004, compared with $296.3 million at the end of last year. This increase reflects the loans in connection with the Circle K acquisition, which were subsequently reduced by $442.1 million in the fourth quarter. Shareholders’equity amounted to $746.8 million, up by 69.5% or $306.2 million, due to the issue of shares relating to the Circle K acquisition and the increase in net earnings. Thenetinterest-bearingdebttototalcapitalizationratio stood at 41.0%, versus 36% as at April 27, 2003. Growth outlook“Integrating Circle K is a major priority for 2004-2005. However, we will also focus on innovation to remain leaders in terms of differentiation in the North American market. We will step up the implementation of our Store 2000 concept, which is now in place in over 1,000 of our stores. We will thus convert about 300 stores during the year, while launching new products and services and developing our successful brands. Expanding and diversifying our QSRs is also a priority, and we plan to set up an additional 75 restaurants co-branded with our stores, bringing their total number to 320 QSRs or 9% of the chain. We will continue to expand by opening 70 new stores and acquiring small networks. Furthermore, we will streamline the network by transferring, selling or divesting about 100 non-performing stores over the next year. We are confident we will achieve solid sales and earnings growth in 2004-2005, due partly to the fact we will benefit from the impact of Circle K for the full year,” noted Alain Bouchard. ProfileAlimentation Couche-Tard inc. is the leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. It is the fourth largest convenience store operator in North America and the second largest independent (not integrated with a petroleum company) convenience store operator. The Company currently operates a network of 4,881 convenience stores, 3,079 of which include motor fuel dispensing, located in eight large geographic markets, including three in Canada and five which cover 23 American states in the United States. Some 34,000 people work at Couche-Tard’s head office and throughout the network. -30- SourceAlain Bouchard, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Fortin, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. Tel: (450) 662-3272 info@couche-tard.qc.ca www.couche-tard.com 6
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