Yesway Enters Kansas With Latest C-store Deal

DES MOINES, Iowa — Yesway has added seven convenience stores to its growing portfolio, adding a new market in the process.

The convenience retailer purchased five Pic Quik stores in Hutchinson, Kan. The move marks Yesway's entry into the Midwest state. The chain also acquired the Krueger's Convenience Stores location in Grimes, and the Pronto Market location in Kanawha, both in Iowa. 

To date, all of Yesway's 30-plus convenience stores have been in Iowa.

"Our goal in acquiring these stores is to enhance their overall appeal and offer a fresh experience for Yesway customers," said Brian Trout, Yesway's senior vice president of operations. "Customers will enjoy redesigned stores that are true to our brand principles, which are to be efficient, inviting and user-friendly.

"We are grateful to the previous owners for building a base of loyal and reliable customers, and look forward to continuing to serve them in their respective local communities," he added.

According to the company, it has a "robust" acquisition pipeline and plans to acquire, improve and rebrand approximately 500 convenience stores as Yesway convenience stores in selected regions of the United States over the next several years.

"Yesway is committed to providing our customers with a terrific shopping experience. We look forward to further expanding the Yesway brand and to becoming an essential member of the communities we serve," said Thomas Nicolas Trkla, Yesway's chairman and CEO.

Des Moines-based Yesway is the operating brand for BW Gas & Convenience. BW Gas is a division of Beverly, Mass.-based Brookwood Financial Partners LLC, a private equity investment firm that specializes in acquiring and managing value-add real estate.

This past summer, Convenience Store News got an up close look at Yesway and its plans to become a key player in the convenience channel. For more on CSNews' "Day in the Life of Yesway," check out the September 2016 issue.