EDITORIAL
Regulators Force Divestitures in Circle K’s $1.57 Billion Midwest Fuel Deal
In a significant move highlighting the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) continued scrutiny of corporate consolidation, the agency has raised antitrust concerns over a proposed $1.57 billion acquisition by Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. (ACT), the Canadian parent company of Circle K. The FTC ordered the divestiture of 35 fuel stations located in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to maintain market competition and protect consumers from potential price increases. ACT had planned to acquire 270 gas stations from
...The FTC is requiring that ACT sell 35 of the overlapping locations to Majors Management, a Georgia-based fuel and convenience store operator with more than 1,400 locations across the country.
By Roy Littlefield III
Midwest-based grocery and fuel retailer Giant Eagle, expanding its already vast network of retail outlets across the United States. However, after reviewing the transaction, the FTC concluded that the acquisition would reduce competition in several key markets where the two companies currently operate, potentially leading to higher fuel prices and fewer consumer choices.
To address those concerns, the FTC is requiring that ACT sell 35 of the overlapping locations to Majors Management, a Georgia-based fuel and convenience store operator with more than 1,400 locations across the country. In addition to the divestiture, the FTC order bars ACT from re-acquiring those locations for at least 10 years, a move intended to prevent the re-consolidation of the divested assets and ensure long-term competition. The timing of the decision is notable, coming just before the busy July 4th holiday weekend when millions of Americans hit the road and fuel prices are top of mind for many consumers. While President Donald Trump’s administration has
generally favored deregulation and pro-business policies, the FTC’s action here demonstrates that enforcement of antitrust laws remains active in certain key sectors, particularly those that directly impact the everyday cost of living. Although the Trump-era FTC has faced criticism for being less aggressive
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NOZZLE & WRENCH I JULY 2025
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