We all heard that everything is bigger in Texas. But, in case this fact needs additional support, Yesway wrapped up the closing months of 2024 by making progress on its growth plans for the Allsup's banner.

Yesway, operating from Fort Worth, is one of the fastest growing convenience store operators in the United States, with 440 stores in 9 states.

The convenience retail company cut the ribbon on five Allsup's convenience stores in Texas and New Mexico in the fourth quarter of the year.

The stores, of course, are big ones, measuring 6,277 square feet and operate 24 hours a day. They offer a variety of products, including Allsup's World Famous Burritos, private label snacks, fresh Allsup's bread, milk and eggs. Most locations also feature a beer cave, Western Union services, ATMs, and cryptocurrency and digital currency ATMs.

But here’s the multi-million-dollar question: is bigger actually better? We think that the only honest answer is, “It depends”.

It depends on two critical factors: (1) what your target audience wants, and (2) how can you satisfy the customer, within your means.

To answer the first question, the c-store chain operator needs to examine the data: conduct a store location analysis, review the demographic report by address, and explore the traffic flow demographic analysis. What are the median income stats? Is the income growing proportionally with inflation and rising prices? What is the sex/age pyramid, i.e., what is the percentage of younger men, middle-age women and whoever else you consider your primary customer group? Get the latest traffic data, not just for the primary road the store faces, but on the secondary roads in the trade area, and observe the trends.

Armed with this information, you can tailor your offering to the needs and wants of your customers, and see if it requires setting up a sit-down bar for in-store diners, or a couple of outside tables can do the job without expanding the store footprint.

Oh, and all that data we mentioned earlier? Make sure it is accurate, cross-verified and human-checked analysis – like the kind of data Ticon is known for in the industry.

Check Ticon’s products here.