Class of 2017
Alain Bouchard launched his first convenience store in Québec in 1980. That venture evolved into Alimentation Couche-Tard, a network that comprises over 12,000 stores and employs approximately 125,000 people.
Mr. Bouchard was President and Chief Executive Officer of the company from its inception to 2014. He remains active as Executive Chairman of the Board. In that role, he mentors the next generation of leaders, and focuses on strategic initiatives. Mr. Bouchard has also served on the board of CGI Group Inc. since 2013.
Through growth and acquisitions, Mr. Bouchard made Couche-Tard the leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. In the U.S., it is the largest independent convenience store operator in terms of number of company-operated stores. Couche-Tard also has a strong presence in Europe, in both convenience store and transportation fuel retail. That includes operations in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Denmark), the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), Ireland and Poland.
Under licensing agreements, more than 1,500 stores are operated under the Circle K banner in another 13 countries and territories worldwide.
Mr. Bouchard is an Officier de l’Ordre national du Québec, the province’s highest honour. With his wife, he created the Sandra and Alain Bouchard Foundation, devoted to people living with an intellectual disability, as well as to strengthening the arts and culture.
