Dive Brief:
- Yesway has hired Robert Hampton as its new chief technology officer, the convenience retailer announced on Thursday.
- Hampton will succeed Aaron Everett effective Jan. 19, a company spokesperson said in a statement to C-Store Dive. Everett left Yesway after five years last September to join grocery and retail distributor Alex Lee, according to his LinkedIn bio.
- Hampton, former chief technology officer at Jacksons Food Stores, will lead Yesway's IT strategy and oversee the retailer’s enterprise technology, digital transformation, cybersecurity and innovation, according to Thursday’s announcement.
Dive Insight:
Hampton’s hiring is one of several executive leadership shifts at Yesway and the second c-suite change it has made in recent months, hinting that the company is gearing up for progress even as its growth has stalled the past few years.
It also signals that Yesway is preparing to boost its technology infrastructure, which doesn't appear to have been a priority for the company recently, with its last public update coming when it revamped its loyalty program in early 2024.
According to Thursday’s announcement, Hampton will establish a new technology vision and roadmap at Yesway, as well as evaluate, develop and deploy “all enterprise, store-level, web, and mobile technology platforms” across retail, fuel and back-office operations. He’ll also manage Yesway’s technology budget and oversee cybersecurity and disaster recovery training.
Hampton will report to Tom Trkla, chairman, CEO and president of Yesway.
"Robert is a highly respected technology leader with a rare combination of hands-on technical depth, retail industry knowledge, and strategic leadership experience,” Trkla said in the announcement. “His ability to modernize platforms, scale operations, and lead transformational initiatives will be instrumental as we continue to expand our footprint and enhance the experience for our customers, team members, and partners."
While working at Jacksons for nearly a decade, Hampton helped the Idaho-based retailer acquire and integrate more than 120 c-stores and launch the ExtraMile banner alongside Chevron. He also redesigned ExtraMile’s IT infrastructure, established an around-the-clock support center and managed Jackcon’s full tech portfolio.
Hampton, a well-known industry leader and technology advocate, has publicly touted his support for AI adoption in convenience stores. He recently told C-Store Dive that 2026 will see retailers hone in on c-store-specific AI rather than generic solutions — such as floor-scrubbing robots or scheduling assistants — that can be used across other industries.
“I look forward to partnering with the leadership team to advance our technology capabilities, support innovation across the organization, and ensure we are well-positioned to scale efficiently while delivering exceptional experiences for our customers and teams,” Hampton said in the announcement.
