Year in Review: Top M&A Deals of 2016

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — With a total store count nearing 160,000, the convenience channel is ripe for consolidation. With a high number of smaller operators it's no surprise that merger-and-acquisition activity continues to be the talk of the industry.

This year saw larger retailers gobbling up smaller, regional chains, like the April deal between Croton Holding Co. and Par Mar Oil. But it also saw headline grabbing deals — with headline grabbing price tags — like Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.'s $4.4-billion agreement to acquire CST Brands Inc. 

These are the top 10 M&A headlines of 2015 in the convenience channel, as reported by CSNews Online:

1. Couche-Tard Acquiring CST Brands in $4.4B Deal
Circle K will establish a new business unit in San Antonio.

2. Tesoro to Become a 3,000-Plus-Station Operation
Company announces agreement to acquire Western Refining for $4.1B.

3. Delek Makes Bid to Acquire Remainder of Alon USA
Deal would add 52-percent stake in North America’s largest 7-Eleven licensee.

4. MAPCO Officially Has a New Owner
The sale to COPEC subsidiary worth $535 million.

5. Northern Tier Approves Merger With Western Refining
Combined entity operates approximately 395 c-stores, among other assets.

6. Topaz Officially Part of Couche-Tard's Network
The stores will transition to the global Circle K brand.

7. Sun Capital Acquires 139 Midwest C-stores
Former VPS CEO Jeff Turpin will lead new retail division.

8. CST Brands Finalizes 79-Store Deal With 7-Eleven
C-store retailer officially exits California and Wyoming markets.

9. GPM Acquires 67 Apple Market Stores From Fuel USA
Deal for Virginia, Kentucky sites to close this quarter.

10. Croton Holding Co. Acquires Par Mar Oil
Deal includes 52 convenience stores and gas stations.

Stay tuned to CSNews Online for more 2016 Year in Review recaps.