ARKO (NASDAQ:ARKO) held its 2026 annual stockholders meeting virtually on June 4, with shareholders approving all three proposals presented by the company and management providing a brief update on the convenience store and fuel distributor’s transformation efforts.
Arie Kotler, ARKO’s chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer, said the company again chose a virtual format because it allows ARKO to reach a greater number of stockholders. The formal portion of the meeting included votes on the election of directors, executive compensation and the company’s independent auditor.
Shareholders Approve Board Nominees, Executive Pay and Auditor
Bricks said more than 96.7 million shares were represented in person or by proxy, equal to about 86% of the voting power of the company’s outstanding common stock as of the record date. That was sufficient for a quorum.
Based on a preliminary vote report from Broadridge Financial Solutions, the company’s inspector of election, Bricks said shareholders approved all three proposals:
- The election of six directors to serve until the 2027 annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified.
- A non-binding advisory resolution approving the compensation of ARKO’s named executive officers.
- The ratification of Grant Thornton LLP as ARKO’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2026.
ARKO said it will report final vote results in a Form 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days after the meeting.
Management Highlights Transformation Plan
After the formal business portion, Kotler described 2025 as a “defining and transformational year” for ARKO, saying the company strengthened its foundation and repositioned itself for sustainable growth.
Kotler said ARKO continued executing on its multi-year transformation plan by driving operating efficiency, optimizing its retail footprint and reallocating capital to stores and segments where the company sees stronger potential.
He also highlighted ARKO’s dealerization efforts, saying the company converted 409 retail sites to dealer locations from mid-2024 through the end of 2025. At retained retail stores, Kotler said ARKO made progress on remodels and new-to-industry locations while implementing its fas Craves food program.
“We exited 2025 as a leaner, more disciplined, and structurally stronger company,” Kotler said.
First-Quarter Momentum and APC IPO
Kotler said the momentum ARKO saw toward the end of 2025 continued into 2026. He noted that the company delivered 65% adjusted EBITDA growth in the first quarter compared with the same period a year earlier.
He also said same-store sales excluding cigarettes returned to growth, while same-store fuel gallons posted the strongest year-over-year trend in two years.
Kotler further pointed to the initial public offering of ARKO’s subsidiary, ARKO Petroleum Corp., or APC. He said the IPO “garnered excitement” from quality institutional investors and highlighted ARKO’s wholesale fuel distribution and fleet fueling business. He added that proceeds from the IPO strengthened ARKO’s balance sheet and that the company continues to have “tremendous liquidity” to pursue growth goals.
2026 Priorities
Looking ahead, Kotler said ARKO believes 2026 is positioned to be a year of continued execution. He cited ongoing dealerization, remodels of core retail stores and the implementation of merchandising strategies and loyalty programs as priorities intended to grow same-store sales, merchandise margin and same-store gallons.
Kotler said ARKO also plans to roll out new-to-industry stores in its retail segment and advance new-to-industry cardlock locations, with a target of 20 new cardlock locations.
The meeting concluded without any stockholder questions submitted through the web portal.
About ARKO (NASDAQ:ARKO)
ARKO Corp (NASDAQ: ARKO) is a downstream energy and convenience retail company based in Matthews, North Carolina. The company’s core operations encompass fuel supply, distribution and retailing through a network of terminals, independent dealer locations and company-operated convenience stores. ARKO’s fuel offerings include branded and unbranded gasoline and diesel, as well as lubricants and other petroleum products marketed under various regional and private labels.
In its retail segment, ARKO operates a portfolio of convenience stores under the Kangaroo Express banner, serving on-site customers with fuel, grab-and-go food items, beverages and everyday household essentials.
