UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT
TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the press release dated March 20, 2006
Commission File Number: 333-10100
ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD INC.
1600 St-Martin Boulevard East
Tower B, Suite 200
Laval, Quebec, Canada
H7G 4S7
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40 F. Form 20-F |_| Form 40-F |X|
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Yes |_| No |X|
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
Yes |_| No |X|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes |_| No |X|
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b):
SIGNATURES:
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | ALIMENTATION COUCHE-TARD INC. |
| | |
| March 20, 2006 | |
| | Per: /s/ Sylvain Aubry |
| | Sylvain Aubry |
| | Corporate Secretary |
PRESS RELEASE
Couche-Tard acquires
6 stores in Florida (U.S.)
________________________________________________________________
ATD.MV.A, ATD.SV.B / TSX
Laval, March 20, 2006 — Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. announces that it has signed through its subsidiary, Circle K Stores Inc., an agreement to purchase 6 stores in the Tallahassee region of Florida from Capcirc Properties, LLC. Should the transaction close as expected at the beginning of April 2006, these assets would add sales of approximately US $22 million to Couche-Tard's revenues and contribute to its earnings on an annualized basis.
The 6 convenience stores currently operate under the Stop-N-Save banner and all locations would be converted to the Circle K banner. Pursuant to this transaction, the company would buy the land and buildings for 5 locations, and would lease the other one. According to a confidentiality agreement between the parties, the purchase price cannot be disclosed at this time. Internal cash flow dollars will pay for the transaction.
"Strategically, this acquisition would be an excellent fit with our current network in the Tallahassee region and would nicely complement our expansion and growth plans in both the Florida and Gulf Division and Tallahassee in particular. These additional locations would bring our store count to 23 in the Tallahassee region. Circle K assets in Tallahassee will be remodeled in the near future to reflect the Circle K image that is currently being rolled out in the Florida and Gulf Division," indicated Mick Parker, Vice-President Operations, Florida and Gulf.
Profile
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is the leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. In North America, Couche-Tard is the third largest convenience store operator and the second largest independent (not integrated with a petroleum company) convenience store operator and the most profitable one within such category. Couche-Tard currently operates a network of 4,909 convenience stores, 3,028 of which include motor fuel dispensing, located in eight large geographic markets, including three in Canada and five, which cover 23 States in the United States. Some 36,000 people are employed throughout Couche-Tard's retail convenience network and executive offices.
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Source
Richard Fortin, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
Tel: (450) 662-3272
Mick Parker, Vice-President Operations, Florida and Gulf Region
Tel: (813) 910-6801
info@couche-tard.com
www.couche-tard.com
The statements set forth in this press release, which describe Couche-Tard's objectives, projections, estimates, expectations or forecasts, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation. Positive or negative verbs such as "plan", "evaluate", "estimate", "believe" and other related expressions are used to identify such statements. Couche-Tard would like to point out that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties such that its results, or the measures it adopts, could differ materially from those indicated or underlying these statements, or could have an impact on the degree of realization of a particular projection. Major factors that may lead to a material difference between Couche-Tard's actual results and the projections or expectations set forth in the forward-looking statements include the effects of the integration of acquired businesses and the ability to achieve projected synergies, fluctuations in margins on motor fuel sales, competition in the convenience store and retail motor fuel industries, exchange rate variations, and such other risks as described in detail from time to time in the reports filed by Couche-Tard with securities authorities in Canada and the United States. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Couche-Tard disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking information in this release is based on information available as of the date of the release.
