BW Gas & Convenience Boosts Midwest Presence

DES MOINES, Iowa — BW Gas & Convenience Holdings LLC is expanding its footprint in the Midwest, picking up 21 convenience stores from Kum & Go LC.

The c-stores are in Iowa. The first three stores in Mason City are being acquired this week, with the remaining 18 stores expected to be acquired within the next four weeks. 

This transaction boosts the company's presence in Iowa to 31 convenience stores. In all, BW Gas & Convenience plans to acquire between 600 and 1,000 c-stores throughout the United States over the next several years.

BW Gas & Convenience is also taking the wraps off its national convenience store brand, Yesway. Headquartered in Des Moines, Yesway will offer an expanded product assortment and enhanced foodservice offering.

In addition, Yesway plans to spend approximately $6.7 million to upgrade and remodel its entire portfolio to further enhance the customer experience. Brian Trout, Yesway's senior vice president of operations, will head the banner's efforts to improve the merchandise mix and launch a new loyalty program.

"The new exterior and interior store design will enhance the overall appeal of the stores and enable us to offer a fresh experience for consumers in the Iowa region," Trout said. "Customers will enjoy redesigned stores that are true to our brand tenets, which are to be user-friendly, inviting and efficient. Over the years, the previous owners have established a loyal and reliable customer base, and we look forward to continuing to serve them in their respective local communities."

Thomas Nicolas Trkla, Yesway's chairman and CEO, added that the company looks forward "to expanding our brand in the Midwest and becoming an integral part of the communities we serve."

BW Gas & Convenience is an affiliate of Beverly, Mass.-based Brookwood Financial Partners, a private-equity investment firm. BW Gas & Convenience, d/b/a Yesway, is headquartered in Des Moines.