Circle K, operated by Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard, has become one of the most widely recognized convenience store brands, known worldwide for quality products and great customer service. Circle K uses Liquid Barcodes' subscription platform to power its car wash subscription app program.

With more than 12.600 stores around the world, Circle K operates more than 5,700 stores in the U.S. and sits at number one on the 2025 CSP Top 202 Convenience Stores and 2025 NACS Top 100 Convenience Stores, both ranked by store count.

Circle K’s vast global network of 2,750 car washes has digitally transformed operations with its revolutionary car wash subscription program. First launched in Denmark and the U.S. in 2020, the program soon expanded into Canadian stores, and the rest of their global markets will soon follow.

The Challenge

Circle K sought to modernize and grow its car wash business by shifting from traditional point-of-sale transactions to a subscription model that would:

• Drive recurring revenue and increase lifetime customer value.
• Simplify subscription redemption and reduce friction at point of use.
• Scale a single subscription solution consistently across global markets.
• Capture actionable analytics to support business insights and performance measurement.
• Support differentiated product offerings (individual, family, and business plans) and advanced technology integration across regions.
  
  

The Solution

Circle K partnered with Liquid Barcodes to design and deploy a mobile-based subscription platform that powers the car wash subscription program. The solution enables Circle K to offer customers a seamless experience from subscription enrollment to wash redemption while supporting multiple tiers, advanced verification mechanisms, and backend analytics. 

Key Features

• Mobile Subscription Enrollment: Customers subscribe through the Circle K app to unlimited car wash plans with options for individual, family, or business tiers.
• Easy Wash Redemption: Subscribers verify via their app at the car wash, scan a QR code at the payment terminal, and proceed into the wash bay with minimal delays.
• Beacon Technology Integration: At some locations, beacons instantly authenticate users and further streamline the redemption process.
• Geolocation-Assisted Validation: The solution uses device geolocation in combination with outdoor payment equipment to verify subscriber proximity. 
• Analytics and Reporting: The platform captures detailed usage and subscription data to support Circle K’s strategic decision-making and performance optimization. 
  
  

About Circle K US

Circle K is one of the world’s largest and most recognizable convenience store brands, operating thousands of retail locations across the United States as part of the global Circle K network. Founded in 1951, Circle K has grown from a small convenience store in El Paso, Texas, into a major retail chain with a presence across North America and beyond. The company is owned by Alimentation Couche-Tard and is known for a wide range of products and services, including fuel, snacks, beverages, and car wash offerings, while focused on enhancing customer experience through digital innovation and convenience.