The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Couche-Tard is counting on bargain meal deals and a new partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri to help fuel sales in the United States as the Canadian convenience-store titan eyes takeovers following its failed pursuit of Japan's Seven & i Holdings. The Globe's Nicolas Van Praet writes that Couche-Tard says its food-bundle offerings, including a sausage, egg and cheese croissant paired with a hash brown and choice of energy drink, coffee or soda for $4, are attracting customers to its Circle K stores amid challenging business conditions in many U.S. states (all figures U.S.). It adds that its size and balance-sheet strength should offer opportunities to acquire competing retailers in the months ahead. After seven consecutive quarters of declines, the company swung back to growth in U.S. same-store merchandise sales with its latest financial report, eking out a 0.4-per-cent gain. Net earnings for the period ending July 20 came in at $782.5-million or 82 cents per share on revenue of $17.3-billion. Profit beat analyst expectations on an adjusted basis. Mr. Fieri will see a small menu of the chef's Flavortown food creations offered in Circle K stores.