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FDD Year-over-Year Comparison

Circle K FDD: What Changed from 2025 to 2026

The 2026 Circle K FDD moves the Item 7 estimated initial investment range from $934,500–$8,301,500 to $1,472,500–$2,874,650, and the system grows from 4,631 to 6,071 outlets (+31.1%) year-over-year. The 2026 filing drops the Item 19 financial performance representation that the 2025 filing included.

Source: WI state filings · Updated August 2026 · ClearlyFDD

Item 7 — Estimated Initial Investment

2025 FDD2026 FDDChange
Low end of range$934,500$1,472,500+$538,000 (+57.6%)
High end of range$8,301,500$2,874,650−$5,426,850 (−65.4%)
Full range$934,500–$8,301,500$1,472,500–$2,874,650

The 2026 filing puts the Item 7 estimated initial investment at $1,472,500–$2,874,650, against $934,500–$8,301,500 in the 2025 filing. The low end moves by +$538,000 (+57.6%) and the high end moves by −$5,426,850 (−65.4%), narrowing the band from $7,367,000 to $1,402,150.

2026 filing: Initial investment excludes real estate. The Fee and Investment structure differs for Motor Fuel and Branding components, which are separate from the single-unit franchise. See Item 7 for full breakdown.

Item 20 — System Size (Outlet Count)

2025 FDD2026 FDDChange
Total outlets (Item 20)4,6316,071+1,440 (+31.1%)
Franchised outlets54515+461 (+853.7%)
Company-owned outlets4,5775,556+979
Openings during the year1877−180
Closures during the yearNot disclosed35

Circle K reports 6,071 outlets in the 2026 FDD, against 4,631 in the 2025 filing — a change of +1,440 (+31.1%).

Outlet counts as each filing states them — 2025: Year 2025 (as presented in Item 20 tables; systemwide summary for years 2023 to 2025); 2026: End of fiscal year April 26, 2026. Item 20 counts include both franchised and company-owned locations, and may include outlets with fuel or branded business components. Company-owned outlet counts may reflect stores also classified under separate franchise programs. Transfers are detailed by state and year.

Item 19 — Financial Performance Representations

The 2026 Circle K filing drops the Item 19 financial performance representation that the 2025 filing carried.

Item 6 — Ongoing Fees

2025 FDD2026 FDDChange
Standard royalty rate3.5%6%+2.5 pts

The standard royalty rate moves from 3.5% to 6% of Gross Sales between filings.

2025 filing: Royalty is the greater of: (a) (i) 3.5% of Gross Sales and (ii) $0.0075 per gallon of Motor Fuel Sales, or (b) $1,500 per Accounting Period. 2026 filing: Royalty rate depends on funding level and may range from 3.5% to 6% of Gross Sales plus minimum monthly payment. Certain business variations may result in higher effective rates.

Frequently asked questions

Did the cost to open a Circle K franchise change in the 2026 FDD?

The 2026 FDD for Circle K states an Item 7 estimated initial investment of $1,472,500–$2,874,650, against $934,500–$8,301,500 in the 2025 filing. The low end moves from $934,500 to $1,472,500 (+$538,000 (+57.6%)) and the high end moves from $8,301,500 to $2,874,650 (−$5,426,850 (−65.4%)).

How many locations does Circle K have?

The 2026 FDD for Circle K reports 6,071 outlets in Item 20, against 4,631 in the 2025 filing — 1,440 more.

How many Circle K locations closed?

The 2026 FDD for Circle K reports 35 outlet closures for the year it covers.

Did Circle K change its royalty rate?

The standard royalty moves from 3.5% in the 2025 filing to 6% in the 2026 filing (+2.5 pts).

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