Yesway has announced that it will celebrate the grand opening of its first-ever Allsup’s location in Arizona in Willcox on Friday, Oct. 2. The opening marks “an important milestone in Yesway’s history,” the company wrote in a statement, noting that it is expanding its operating footprint into its 10th state.
With the opening of the Willcox location, Yesway will operate 453 stores across 10 states, further strengthening the company’s presence across the Southwest.
Located at 1151 N. Virginia Ave., the new Allsup’s store represents Yesway’s first investment in Arizona and “the beginning of what the company expects will be a meaningful and growing presence in the state,” the statement continued.
Yesway noted that Arizona is an important component of its broader new-store development strategy, which is currently concentrated in Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. The company views Arizona as a natural extension of its existing Southwestern footprint and an especially attractive market for future growth, given the state’s expanding communities, favorable fuel market dynamics, significant development opportunities and strong fit with the Allsup’s brand and foodservice offering.
“Opening our first Allsup’s store in Arizona is an exceptionally exciting moment for our company and one of the most significant milestones in Yesway’s history since we founded the company in 2015,” said Tom Trkla, chairman, president and CEO of Yesway. “We could not be more pleased to bring Allsup’s to Arizona. We have long believed that Arizona represents an outstanding opportunity for our company, and we are delighted to finally introduce this iconic Southwestern brand to customers in the state.”
“Arizona is a natural extension of our existing footprint, and we believe the Allsup’s operating model is particularly well suited to the state’s rural and suburban communities,” Trkla continued. “We see tremendous long-term opportunity here. This is not simply the opening of another store for Yesway; it represents the beginning of what we hope will become a significant and enduring presence in Arizona.”
Allsup’s brand has deep roots in the Southwest and has developed a loyal following over generations of customers. Its World-Famous Deep-Fried Burrito has become synonymous with the brand and remains one of the most recognized foodservice products in the industry.
“We are enormously proud of the Allsup’s brand, its heritage and what it represents to our customers,” Trkla said. “Bringing Allsup’s to Arizona is particularly meaningful because the state is such a natural cultural and geographic fit for the brand. We are excited to introduce Arizona customers not only to our World-Famous Burrito, but also to the combination of foodservice, fuel, convenience and hospitality that has made Allsup’s such a beloved institution throughout the Southwest.”
“We are equally excited to become part of the Willcox community,” Trkla added. “Our stores are intended to become an important part of the communities they serve, and we look forward to building relationships with our customers, our employees, local organizations and community leaders for many years to come.”
The company’s entry into Arizona comes as Yesway continues to execute a disciplined new-store development strategy across its core and adjacent markets. Yesway has developed and opened more than 90 new-to-industry stores over approximately the past five years, complementing its growth through strategic acquisitions and continued investment in its existing store base.
The Willcox location will span approximately 6,277 square feet and feature 10 multi-product fuel dispensers, five diesel lanes and 17 truck parking spaces. The store will offer Allsup’s World Famous Burritos, Yesway private-label snacks, fresh food and grocery items and everyday essentials.
“We are building Yesway for the long term, and Arizona is an important part of that vision,” Trkla said. “We are extremely pleased to be here, and we intend to invest thoughtfully in the state, create new opportunities for our team members, and bring a differentiated convenience and foodservice experience to Arizona customers.”
“This first Allsup’s store is only the beginning,” Trkla concluded. “We are grateful to the many people who helped us reach this milestone, tremendously excited about the opportunities we see throughout Arizona, and very proud to welcome the state of Arizona into the Yesway and Allsup’s family.”
