Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has made a compelling offer of more than $8.7 billion to acquire Zabka Group SA, a prominent Polish convenience store operator. This strategic move follows Couche-Tard's unsuccessful year-long pursuit of the parent company of 7-Eleven. The proposed transaction, if successful, would represent Couche-Tard's largest acquisition to date and significantly expand its global footprint.

Zabka boasts over 13,000 stores in Poland and Romania, while Couche-Tard operates approximately 17,300 locations across 27 countries, including nearly 400 in Poland. Both companies share a focus on beverages, snacks, and increasingly, quick-serve meals. Couche-Tard CEO Alex Miller emphasized the complementary strengths of the two businesses, anticipating around $250 million US in cost savings within three years of the deal's closure.

Executives at Couche-Tard, including founder Alain Bouchard, have considered Zabka a target for at least 15 years. Previous attempts to expand, such as a bid for French grocery chain Carrefour SA and the pursuit of Seven & i Holdings, did not materialize. Current Zabka management and investors, including CVC Capital Partners and Partners Group, holding 57% of shares, have unanimously backed the offer. The deal is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close by December.