Alimentation Couche-Tard

Fiscal 2005 was a good one for Lee-Moore Oil Co. The company's 21 stores and motor fuel business — it supplied fuel to 20 other locations on a consigned dealer or supply-only basis — generated revenues of $130 million, including $113 million in motor fuels and $l13.5 million in merchandise and car wash sales.

For entrepreneurs, now is a very good time to sell a business, according to Fortune Small Business magazine. "The economy is, by many measures, in its best shape since the dot-com bubble burst in 2001. Banks are aggressively lending money for all kinds of acquisitions. Increasingly, corporate America views the purchase of small firms as a shortcut to growth and innovation. As a result, a small-business feeding frenzy is in progress," wrote Justin Martin in a cover story last month.

Richard Waring, a partner in Waring Oil Co., a business he started with first cousins Dan and Howard Waring, said, "the timing was right and the stars lined up" when the three decided to sell the company's 40 Interstate Food Stop stores to The Pantry Inc. late last year.

Circle K parent acquires 236 Shell stations throughout the U.S., adding nearly 340 million gallons of gasoline volume sales to portfolio.

Chain installs FuelQuest fuel management system at all 90 acquired locations.

Canadian company will reduce financing costs by at least $2 million a year.

CEO Alain Bouchard announces plans to acquire more than 100 stores a year, ultimately controlling 10 percent of North American market.

Revenues climb, but convenience store chain is hit by some unusual items.