CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Circle K has partnered with Niantic Inc. to bring Circle K stores to life in the augmented reality mobile game Pokémon GO, according to a news release. More than 9,000 Circle K locations worldwide will transform into PokéStops and Gyms.

Circle K will offer in-store experiences and special in-game rewards and offers to Pokémon players, as well as customers. In 2022, Circle K will host the first of four Legendary Raid events at participating locations in-game to engage Pokémon GO Trainers, Circle K customers and mobile game enthusiasts.

“As a loyal Pokémon GO player for many years, I am personally thrilled with this new global partnership,” said Kevin Lewis, chief marketing officer at Alimentation Couche-Tard/Circle K. “I am equally thrilled to bring Pokémon GO to life with millions of our customers across our more than 9,000 stores worldwide.”

The experience and offers also will be available at the company’s Couche-Tard branded stores in Quebec, Canada. Pokémon GO has been downloaded more than one billion times and is played by players in 150 countries and territories.

Circle K uses gamification to train and engage employees and get new hires up to speed. Read how in the October issue of NACS Magazine.