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Yesway Named CSD’s 2021 Chain of the Year
Yesway
With 402 stores across the U.S., the Texas-based chain is the 32nd winner of the most prestigious award in the industry for convenience retailing.
A CSD Staff Report
Continuing a tradition that began in 1990, CStore Decisions is proud to announce Yesway as its 2021 Convenience Store Chain of the Year.
What makes Yesway special is it continues to cement its presence as a retail leader by evolving to exceed customers’ expectations — and it’s one of the fastest growing chains in the c-store industry.
Over the past two years, Yesway has transformed its retail image with a new store design, a thriving proprietary foodservice program and a growing private-label food and beverage brand. Combined with vibrant community outreach programs, Yesway boasts the exceptional leadership and customer service to which many other c-store chains aspire. In recognition of its hard work, dedication to convenience retailing and its firm commitment to employees and the communities it serves, CStore Decisions is honored to name Yesway as the 32nd annual Convenience Store Chain of the Year.
“We are honored to be named CStore Decisions’ 2021 Convenience Store Chain of the Year,” said Tom Trkla, chairman and CEO of Yesway. “It truly is a tribute to everyone on the Yesway team — from our senior management team, whose collective hard work and dedication have proven critical to our being able to grow our portfolio, to our Yesway and Allsup’s store team members providing outstanding service to customers in the communities we serve every day. Each of them has helped us to become the exceptional convenience store retailer we have aspired to be.”
Yesway will be honored at an awards reception on Oct. 6, during the NACS Show in Chicago.
“Yesway burst onto the scene in 2015 as a chain focused on retail excellence and growth, and it hasn’t looked back,” said CStore Decisons Editor-in-Chief John Lofstock. “With the acquisition of Allsup’s in 2019, Yesway tripled its store count and then raised $235 million of capital to invest in its raze-and-rebuild efforts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the chain pushed through numerous retail improvement projects, all while promoting its Hospitality Heroes program to honor the commitment of its essential worker team members on the front lines, every day, in its stores.”
The Chain of the Year Award showcases the best of the best in convenience retailing, and Yesway is certainly deserving of a place in this rich tradition.
In six short years, Yesway has made itself a force in the competitive c-store industry. Today, the Fort Worth, Texas-based company operates 402 stores across nine states. Brookwood Financial Partners, the Boston-based private equity firm that founded Yesway in 2015 to own, operate and grow its c-stores, looks forward to continuing to strengthen its brand.
“We are elated to receive such prestigious recognition from CStore Decisions, and our entire team will cherish this honor,” said Yesway Chief Marketing Officer Derek Gaskins. “This recognition shines brightly on all the hard work and dedication our team members display every day to build the Yesway brand. We are grateful to be recognized and inspired to continue to achieve growth.”
Retailers interested in attending the Chain of the Year award ceremony can contact John Lofstock at jlofstock@wtwhmedia. com. Supplier companies interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact John Petersen at jpetersen@wtwhmedia.com.
