Mac’s, a Canadian name since the 1960s, will disappear for good in coming months as its owner, Couche Tard, of Laval Quebec, rebrands 15,000 corner stores and gas stations worldwide with an American name. The really galling thing for many people is that Couche Tard (it means night owl) will survive as the name of the corner stores in Quebec. Everyone else, including the chain founded by Ken and Carl McGowen in 1962 will be called (ugh) Circle K y’all. The Mac’s name has been owned by Silverwood Dairies Limited which acquired the firm in stages but then sold it to Couche Tard in 1976. So, Quebec stores will get to keep the signature owl name and logo. “Our roots are here, the name is French. The popularity of the brand is so strong here. There was no question (that we would change it),” said executive chairman Alain Bouchard, addressing a press conference in Laval last year. Funny how the Quebec owners get it about their French name but not the English one.
