Convenience Stores Surge Ahead of Fast food with Trending Ready-to-Eat Options
Yesway’s Innovative Approach to Food-Driven Growth
Yesway Inc., the parent company behind the convenience store brand Allsup’s, is successfully drawing customers away from traditional fast-food chains by featuring popular ready-made items such as crispy chimichangas and deep-fried burritos. Despite ongoing increases in fuel expenses, Yesway’s CEO Tom Trkla emphasized that their food sales continue to rise, indicating a notable shift in consumer behavior favoring convenience stores for quick meals.
Expanding Market Presence Amid Fuel Price Volatility
“Our internal metrics reveal growth in our sales figures while some competitors face downturns,” Trkla noted. “This demonstrates that we are not only gaining ground against other convenience stores but also capturing market share from fast-food restaurants competing with our signature burrito offerings.”
This pattern mirrors a larger industry trend where convenience stores are leveraging their food service capabilities to challenge the dominance of traditional quick-service restaurants.
The Growing Impact of Convenience Store Food Sales
In 2025 alone, Allsup’s sold approximately 41 million proprietary food products, including an extraordinary 24 million burritos.These numbers underscore how c-stores have evolved into significant players within the fast-casual dining landscape.
Diverse Revenue Streams Bolster Business Stability
- Fuel Sales: fuel transactions account for nearly two-thirds of Yesway’s total revenue.
- In-Store Products: The remaining revenue is generated through merchandise and freshly prepared foods available inside their outlets.
The persistent geopolitical tensions influencing global oil prices have not deterred customers from purchasing Yesway’s affordable meal options priced between $4 and $6-an attractive value proposition that continues to drive strong merchandise sales despite economic headwinds.
C-Stores Compete with Fast-Food Leaders Through freshness and Accessibility
The last ten years have witnessed brands like Wawa,Buc-ee’s,and casey’s General Stores steadily chipping away at fast-food giants’ market share by focusing on fresh ingredients paired with competitive pricing and convenient locations. Breakfast menus have become particularly fierce battlegrounds against established names such as McDonald’s and Taco Bell.
A booming Sector Generating Billions in Revenue
The national Association of Convenience Stores reported that foodservice sales within the c-store industry soared to an impressive $121 billion in 2024, reflecting consumers’ increasing preference for accessible dining alternatives outside conventional restaurant settings.
A Strategic Footprint Across Midwest and Southwest Markets
Established by private equity firm Brookwood in 2015, Yesway significantly expanded its reach after acquiring Allsup’s in 2019. By late 2025, this combined enterprise operated 448 locations primarily across the Midwest and Southwest regions of the United States, positioning itself as a powerful contender within both fuel retailing and prepared foods sectors.
“Our customers come not only for fuel but increasingly seek affordable meals-this dual appeal fortifies us even during economic uncertainty,” stated Tom Trkla, CEO of Yesway Inc., highlighting how value-focused offerings sustain growth amid fluctuating energy costs.
