Dive Brief:
- Yesway recorded its strongest quarter in company history during Q2 2026, Chairman, President and CEO Tom Trkla said during the convenience retailer’s earnings call on Thursday.
- Yesway set new records across several key areas, including fuel gallons sold, fuel gross profit, inside merchandise sales, inside merchandise gross profit and store contribution, Trkla said in its earnings report. The performance drove adjusted EBITDA up about 35% year over year in the second quarter.
- Yesway’s solid quarter positions the retailer for a strong finish to 2026 as it embarks on an ambitious five-year growth plan.
Dive Insight:
Yesway’s future appeared murky before going public in April, with some investors and stakeholders growing frustrated with the lack of movement and growth in recent years. But since its IPO, the Texas-based retailer has been moving full steam ahead, and is now building on the success it achieved during the first quarter.
The strong second quarter wasn’t driven by any single factor, but rather by execution across several areas of the business, Trkla emphasized during the call. In addition to EBITDA growth, highlights included a $5.5 million increase in net income, a 4.4% increase in total inside merchandise sales and a 6.9% increase in total fuel gallons sold, according to Yesway’s earnings report.
This all situates Yesway to make headway on its five-year expansion plan, which includes opening 130 new-to-industry stores, primarily in Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas, while pursuing strategic acquisitions.
“Looking ahead, our strong operating performance and significant cash generation are increasing our financial flexibility to fund our organic growth initiatives and pursue acquisitions as compelling opportunities arise,” Trkla said in Yesway’s earnings report.
Yesway noted in March that it plans to open six to eight new builds this year, and that goal remains on track, Trkla said during the call. Newer stores will feature expanded forecourts and dedicated high-flow diesel lanes to support commercial vehicles, he added. Inside the store, Yesway is rationalizing its food menu by removing some “lower velocity” SKUs to reduce complexity, he said.
While Yesway’s acquisitions path isn’t as clearly defined as its NTI strategy, Trkla said the company is “now much more active in terms of looking at accretive M&A” than it was in the past five years.
Trkla said Yesway is evaluating acquisition opportunities that may increase its density in existing areas or expand its presence in “attractive markets.”
Yesway also expects to still complete the $17.5 million sale of its 29 locations across Iowa and Kansas by the end of the year, according to its report. C-Store Dive reported last year that Nebraska-based Mega Saver agreed to purchase these locations.
