Be Your ‘Authentic Self’ at Couche-Tard’s Global Stores

Inclusion and diversity for employees has been taken to new lengths by a company that has its heart in the right place.

Canadian multinational Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT) has evolved into a global leader in convenience stores and mobility.

With 122,000 team members across 24 countries and territories, the company takes pride in representing a spread of cultures, races, genders, and minority groups. ACT continues its diversity and inclusion journey across the organisation, embracing it at all levels, from store staff to top management. The company strives to be an inclusive and attractive employer, providing a work environment where people feel safe, respected, and able to “bring their authentic selves to work” every day.

The company’s wholesome efforts began in earnest in 2019, with the formation of its first business resource group, the Women’s Council, to provide “winning conditions” for female employees. Today, the company has seven active business resource groups for race, LGBTQ+, disabilities, ethnic diversity, and, most recently, military veterans and their family members.

“Alimentation Couche-Tard is committed to creating pipelines that bring more diverse groups into its management structure.”

In March 2020, Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT) president and chief executive Brian Hannasch signed the CEO Action pledge, joining a coalition of leaders working to advance fairness and inclusion in the workplace. When Hannasch signed up for this commitment, Alimentation Couche-Tard became the first convenience store retailer to join the movement — and demonstrate its commitment to the cause.

From there, the company began bold conversations across the organisation to listen, learn, and take meaningful action. This included training, across the business, on unconscious bias and the sharing of experiences, with town halls, internal communications, surveys, and personal conversations with top leadership.

Inspired by a “One Team” culture — putting its people and its customers first — ACT has won high praise and recognition. It was named as Best Convenience Store Diversity & Inclusion Employer (Global) 2022 by the CFI judging panel — and it took the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award in the same year.

“To be recognised … among such prestigious global honourees is a proud moment for ACT,” said Hannasch. “Protecting and promoting ACT’s winning culture is a top priority for us, and we have worked together as one team to create a highly engaged workforce and company that has only become better and stronger through the challenges of recent years.”

Alimentation Couche-Tard is committed to creating pipelines that bring more diverse groups into its management structure. This includes internal training programmes for managers, directors, and emerging leaders, as well as industry association-sponsored minority training programmes exploring ways that under-represented groups can gain crucial tools and education to advance their careers — and grow with the company.