VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ WIDE MOAT STOCKS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Stock Comparison

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. vs Starbucks Corporation

Compare moat strength, market structure, and segment coverage to understand how each company defends its edge.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

ATD · Toronto Stock Exchange

Market cap (USD)$70.7B
Gross margin (TTM)18.5%
Operating margin (TTM)5.3%
Net margin (TTM)3.6%
SectorConsumer
IndustrySpecialty Retail
CountryCA
Data as of2026-01-05
Moat score
58/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.'s moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View ATD analysis

Starbucks Corporation

SBUX · Nasdaq Global Select Market

Market cap (USD)$98.4B
Gross margin (TTM)22.9%
Operating margin (TTM)9.7%
Net margin (TTM)5%
SectorConsumer
IndustryRestaurants
CountryUS
Data as of2025-12-31
Moat score
70/ 100

Weighted average of segment moat scores, combining moat strength, durability, confidence, market structure, pricing power, and market share.

Full stock profile

Dive deeper into Starbucks Corporation's moat claims, evidence, and risks.

View SBUX analysis

Comparison highlights

  • Moat score gap: Starbucks Corporation leads (70 / 100 vs 58 / 100 for Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.).
  • Segment focus: Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has 3 segments (74% in Road transportation fuel (retail fuel and related mobility services)); Starbucks Corporation has 3 segments (73.6% in North America).
  • Primary market structure: Competitive vs Competitive. Pricing power: Weak vs Moderate.
  • Moat breadth: Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. has 5 moat types across 2 domains; Starbucks Corporation has 7 across 3.

Primary market context

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Road transportation fuel (retail fuel and related mobility services)

Market

Road transportation fuel retail (gasoline/diesel) at convenience sites; includes unmanned/automated fuel stations

Geography

North America and Europe (plus select other regions via the network)

Customer

Consumers and small fleets

Role

Fuel retailer and site operator

Revenue share

74%

Starbucks Corporation

North America

Market

Branded coffeehouse retail (company-operated + licensed)

Geography

U.S. and Canada

Customer

Consumers

Role

Retailer / brand owner

Revenue share

73.6%

Side-by-side metrics

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.
Starbucks Corporation
Ticker / Exchange
ATD - Toronto Stock Exchange
SBUX - Nasdaq Global Select Market
Market cap (USD)
$70.7B
$98.4B
Gross margin (TTM)
18.5%
22.9%
Operating margin (TTM)
5.3%
9.7%
Net margin (TTM)
3.6%
5%
Sector
Consumer
Consumer
Industry
Specialty Retail
Restaurants
HQ country
CA
US
Primary segment
Road transportation fuel (retail fuel and related mobility services)
North America
Market structure
Competitive
Competitive
Market share
n/a
35%-40% (implied)
HHI estimate
n/a
n/a
Pricing power
Weak
Moderate
Moat score
58 / 100
70 / 100
Moat domains
Supply, Demand
Demand, Supply, Legal
Last update
2026-01-05
2025-12-31

Moat coverage

Shared moat types

Physical Network DensityOperational ExcellenceBrand TrustScope Economies

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. strengths

Supply Chain Control

Starbucks Corporation strengths

Habit DefaultPreferential Input AccessContractual Exclusivity

Segment mix

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. segments

Full profile >

Merchandise and services (in-store convenience retail)

Competitive

25.2%

Road transportation fuel (retail fuel and related mobility services)

Competitive

74%

Other revenues (ancillary energy and other income streams)

Competitive

0.8%

Starbucks Corporation segments

Full profile >

North America

Competitive

73.6%

International

Competitive

21%

Channel Development

Oligopoly

5%

Want the full wide moat stocks list?

Browse the full ranking of wide moat stocks, updated with moat scores and segment context.

View the moat stocks list

Looking for expansion-stage stocks?

Proven models entering the expansion stage with unit economics that work.

View expansion-stage stocks

Curation & Accuracy

This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).

Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.