What back-office system is a Circle K franchisee required to purchase?
Circle_K Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
iant with governmental regulations, including without limitation the Americans With Disabilities Act.
In connection with operating your Circle K Store, you must enter into the Software Agreement with us, an affiliate of ours or a third party we designate, which will cover the electronic point of sale equipment, back-office system, and any other computer system(s) we deem appropriate, to be used at your Circle K Store. (A copy of the Software Agreement is attached as Exhibit 2 to the Convenience Store Franchise Agreement.) Under the Software Agreement, you must maintain and service the equipment in accordance with our specifications and in accordance with any manuals relating to the equipment. You may be required to enter into a separate agreement with a third party we designate covering the use and maintenance of the systems required for your Store, including the electronic point of sale system, back office system, and/or any other computer system or communication software we deem necessary to run a Circle K Store, or to collect data from your Store. We currently require you to use Verifone or Radiant for your point of sale system and SSCS as your back office system.
If you will not offer any fuel for sale at the Franchised Location or if you will execute the Motor Fuel Agreement or the Branding Agreement, you will be required to utilize the TMC Network, our electronic point of sale network, and, in connection therewith, purchase designated back-office system, license designated software and firmware and purchase other related computer equipment that we designate. In connection therewith, you must sign the Credit Network Agreement which sets forth the terms and conditions under which you will utilize the TMC Network. You will be required to pay us a monthly Network Fee in exchange for the right to use the TMC Network. The monthly Network Fee you will be required to pay will be our then-current Network Fee, which as of the date of this Disclosure Document
Source: Item 8 — RESTRICTIONS ON SOURCES OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES (FDD pages 45–52)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Circle K Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to use specific systems for their stores. Circle K mandates the use of Verifone or Radiant for the point of sale (POS) system. Additionally, franchisees must use SSCS as their back-office system.
If a Circle K franchisee will not offer fuel for sale or if they execute the Motor Fuel Agreement or the Branding Agreement, they are required to utilize the TMC Network, Circle K's electronic point of sale network. In connection with using the TMC Network, franchisees must purchase a designated back-office system, license designated software and firmware, and purchase other related computer equipment that Circle K designates.
These requirements ensure that all Circle K stores operate with a standardized technology infrastructure, which allows for consistent data collection, reporting, and operational efficiency across the franchise system. Franchisees should factor in the costs associated with these systems, including the initial purchase, software licensing, maintenance, and any network fees, when evaluating the financial feasibility of a Circle K franchise.