Circle of partnership: a well-established franchise program gives circle K owners the tools they need to stay ahead of the game.(Golden State Petroleum)

DAVID DELRAHIM HAS ROOTS all over the globe, coming to America before college and settling in Philadelphia. He then moved out West to finish his education at the University of Southern California. Always fascinated with old service stations, he bought his first site in 1983 and continued to operate multiple stores over the years. Then, in 1996, Delrahim, president of Golden State Petroleum, took a chance and branched out to start his own development company.

In 2002, Delrahim was in the process of developing a site in Chino Hills, Calif. when development executives approached him to consider branding the store Circle K. Since then, Delrahim has continued with the Circle K banner, currently operating four stores that span the southwestern tip of California.

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Circle K began its franchise program in 1999 and has grown to more than 6,000 operators in the U.S. and 10 other countries. When Couche-Tard, Convenience Store Decisions' 2007 Chain of the Year, acquired the chain in 2003, the same partnership was kept between franchisees and the parent company.

"The strong retailing and business policies of Couche-Tard trickle down to our relationship with Circle K," said Delrahim. "I'm able to speak from first-hand experience that their franchise program works. I really don't see myself growing in the absence of Circle K."

Finding the right BalanCe

Delrahim opened three stores over the past four years, with the fourth Circle K currently in the construction phases in Redlands, Calif. He is aiming to have the new store opened by March as long as all the profit centers can be ready in time.