The exceptional, winding path of a man who is inseparable from the empire he built.


Combining a tobacconist, newstand, food mart, beer shop and general store, the convenience store has undergone many trans­formations over the last 35 years, ever since a man decided to turn it into his life's business. That man is Alain Bouchard. Strangely, few people know his name, even in Quebec, where he lives. He is, however, one of Canada's wealthiest entrepreneurs, as well as one of the most peer-honoured businessmen in the world.

Starting as a volunteer clerk in his brother's business before doing all the tasks related to this often thankless work, Alain Bouchard is truly a self-made man who climbed through the professional ranks. Today, the multinational Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. empire that he founded encompasses Circle K, comprises
12,000 stores and over 100,000 employees. It posts revenues of almost US $35 billion.

What is the recipe for this kind of success? What values drive this entrepreneur and his loyal collaborators? This book provides an unprecedented look into an extraordinary business and a man who put it all on the line to win.