Kangaroo Express is a U.S. convenience store and fuel-station franchise offering everyday essentials, snacks, beverages, and quick-service items. The brand traces its origins to 1967, when its parent company, The Pantry, Inc., was founded in Sanford, North Carolina.

Over time, Kangaroo Express became one of the largest convenience-store chains in the Southeastern United States. Today the Kangaroo Express franchise operates under Alimentation Couche-Tard, a global convenience-store operator headquartered in Laval, Québec, Canada.

After acquiring The Pantry in 2015, Couche-Tard transitioned many Kangaroo Express stores to the Circle K brand. A select group of stores, however, were kept and relaunched as a dedicated franchise system managed by the company’s U.S. franchise division.

Kangaroo Express locations offer fuel services, private-label gasoline, fresh coffee, bottled drinks, hot food, and a wide range of convenience-store merchandise. Many stores also include Bean Street Coffee, grab-and-go meals, and locally tailored food programs.

The model focuses on repeat-use products and daily-need items that drive strong customer traffic. The franchise differentiates itself with a dual revenue model — fuel plus convenience retail — supported by the operational strength of a major global brand.

Training

Kangaroo Express® provides a comprehensive training program to prepare franchisees and their store managers for successful store operations. The training is structured and mandatory, covering a wide range of operational areas and including both classroom and in-store components. Below are the key training programs offered by the Franchisor:

1. Initial Training Program
   Franchisees or their operations manager and store manager must complete a two-week classroom training and up to two weeks of in-store training. This includes pre-classroom assignments, an exam, and coverage of subjects such as business management, merchandising, customer service, inventory, and safety. The program is conducted at the Franchisor’s facilities and possibly in select stores.
2. Modified Training Program
   For existing franchisees converting to the Kangaroo Express® brand, a shorter three-to-five-day Modified Training Program is available. It covers essential brand-specific content while still requiring participants to complete the same assignments and pass the final exam as in the full program.
3. Opening Assistance
   After the training is completed, Kangaroo Express® provides on-site support before and during the store opening. This includes help with staff training, implementation of business systems, and evaluating initial operations.

Territory Protection

Kangaroo Express® does not provide its franchisees with exclusive territorial protection. The Franchise Agreement allows franchisees to operate only one convenience store at the specific approved location, and explicitly states that the franchisee may face competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels operated by the Franchisor.

Additionally, the franchisee does not receive any rights to sell products using the Kangaroo Express® brand outside of the designated store location.

This non-exclusive model also applies to the Motor Fuel Business segment, where the franchisee again is limited to one specified location. The Franchisor may establish other branded outlets or permit competitive operations within the same area, and the franchisee has no rights to restrict such competition.