Weigel’s, which operates 85 convenience stores in Tennessee, has appointed Douglas Yawberry as CEO, the company announced on Friday.
Weigel’s CEO position had been vacant since former leader Ken McMullen passed away in 2021, although Yawberry has been “running everything” since that time, a spokesperson said in an email.
Yawberry has been Weigel’s president and chief operating officer since 2017. He now assumes leadership of the company that has placed foodservice and tech-driven loyalty programs at the forefront of its business in recent years, highlighted by its food-focused store design, evolving menu, and customer and employee rewards platforms.
Yawberry joined Weigel’s as director of operations in 2008 and held the role for three years before becoming vice president of operations. During his time with the convenience retailer, Weigel’s has nearly doubled its store count and, in 2023, opened its largest location to date. This 6,400-square-foot store model features open-production kitchens and the Weigel’s Kitchen food program, offering items like fried chicken, pizza, salads, sub sandwiches, breakfast burritos and meat-filled biscuits.
Prior to joining Weigel’s, Yawberry was a vice president with Midwest retailer Huck’s Convenience Stores for over a decade and then worked for oil company Valvoline for five years, according to his LinkedIn bio. He was also a market manager for KFC earlier in his career.
Besides his duties with Weigel’s, Yawberry serves on both the NACS and Ambest Travel Centers boards of directors. In 2024, he was named the NACS Fuel Innovator of the Year.
