Yesway has appointed Robert “Robbie” Drake as vice president of facilities.
Drake (pictured below) will lead all aspects of facilities maintenance and repair operations across Yesway’s portfolio of gas stations and convenience stores, the convenience-store chain announced Monday. He previously was director of strategic maintenance and facilities at Murphy USA, where he led a team of more than 30 people responsible for maintaining more than 1,700 retail fueling stations and convenience stores.
In his new role, Drake will execute Yesway’s strategy to enhance accountability, improve cost control and streamline processes for both in-house and third-party maintenance activities, Yesway said. He’ll also elevate operational uptime, regulatory compliance and in-store experience for customers and team members alike, the Fort Worth, Texas-based company said.
- Yesway is No. 19 on CSP’s 2025 Top 202 ranking of largest U.S. convenience-store chains.
Drake reports to Thomas Brown, chief real estate officer.
“Robbie brings a rare blend of strategic vision and hands-on technical expertise to our organization,” Brown said. “His track record leading large, complex maintenance programs—while improving cost discipline and equipment reliability—will accelerate our efforts to deliver safe, well-maintained stores that delight customers and support our field teams.”
Drake’s background also includes more than two decades of leadership experience in facilities management, HVAC systems and retail maintenance operations. In addition to Murphy USA, he worked at The Pantry Inc., SureTemp Mechanical Inc. and Trane Commercial Systems.
“I'm thrilled to join Yesway at such a dynamic moment in the company's growth,” Drake said. “I look forward to partnering across the organization to enhance our preventive maintenance programs, streamline workflows and ensure every store operates safely, reliably and cost-effectively for our customers and team members.”
Yesway has more than 440 stores across nine states in the Midwest and Southwest. Yesway is owned by BW Gas & Convenience Holdings, which joined the c-store industry in late 2015. Yesway skyrocketed its growth in 2019 when it acquired Clovis, New Mexico-based Allsup’s and its 304 stores in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
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