How Three Siblings Are Leading St. Romain Oil and Y-Not Stop Into a New Era

Three siblings—Annie Gauthier, Nick St. Romain, and Zack St. Romain—are managing the multi-generational leadership of the Louisiana-based St. Romain Oil Co. and its Y-Not Stop convenience store chain through a unique co-CEO structure that divides operations by specialty.

The family business, which has roots in the region dating back to 1970, transitioned to the third generation of leadership in 2016. According to CSP Daily News, the siblings operate under a collaborative model where each executive oversees a distinct pillar of the company to maximize efficiency and personal focus.

“They gave us trust to run it and have the room to make mistakes and learn from them–to trust our gut, our experience, our instincts to run the business and to level it up,” Annie Gauthier said.

The division of labor is highly specific. Nick St. Romain manages real estate, construction, and site maintenance. Zack St. Romain directs store and foodservice operations, while Annie Gauthier handles the company’s finances and human relations. This structure allows the siblings to specialize rather than attempting to master every facet of the retail and fuel industry.

A specialized approach to leadership

The decision to use co-CEOs was not without initial skepticism from the previous generation. Todd St. Romain, the father of the current leadership team, expressed concerns that a shared role might lead to internal friction or “two vs. one” voting scenarios on critical issues.

“We decided from the beginning that if we’re not all three a full yes, then it’s an automatic no,” said Nick St. Romain.

Despite those early concerns, the siblings report that the arrangement has functioned smoothly for a decade. They maintain a policy of diplomacy during disagreements and hold regular meetings to discuss new opportunities. This consensus-based approach ensures that no major strategic shifts occur without total agreement among the three partners.

Zack St. Romain describes the dynamic with a sense of humor, noting that while he focuses on revenue generation and Annie manages the accounting, Nick handles the capital investments.

“It really works great, I think, because we don’t have to know everything about everything,” Zack St. Romain told CSP Daily News. “So it gives us all more brain space for our own areas, and it also gives us peace of mind and time with our families.”

From fuel distribution to retail stores

The evolution of St. Romain Oil Co. reflects broader shifts in the American energy and retail sectors. The company began in 1970 when Edmund St. Romain purchased a Shell Oil distributorship. Originally, the business focused on delivering fuel to small gas stations and providing diesel to local farmers, alongside selling equipment like tires and batteries.

The company’s pivot into the convenience store market happened somewhat by chance. Todd St. Romain, who grew up working in the family business, recalled that a client once asked the company to buy out their small station. This led to the creation of the “Wash and Go” brand, which eventually evolved into the current Y-Not Stop chain.

The company’s growth strategy has historically favored construction over acquisition. Rather than simply buying existing businesses, the family has focused on building new locations and adding amenities like car washes to rural Louisiana markets. As of 2026, the company operates 16 stores and leases a 17th, with a significant new 8,000-square-foot location slated to open in Marksville, Louisiana, this year.

This new Marksville location holds symbolic weight for the family. It will sit on the property of the very first small store the company operated, effectively bringing the business full circle nearly 40 years after its inception.

The human element of family business

While the brothers grew up within the company’s operations, Annie Gauthier entered the business from a different professional angle. After working with the Louisiana Oil Marketers Association, she joined the family company, bringing a modernized approach to their financial management. Her mother, Sondra St. Romain, said that Gauthier’s proficiency with digital tools, such as Excel, transformed how the company handled its budgeting processes.

The siblings’ leadership also extends to community engagement through the Corporate Works of Mercy Foundation. This nonprofit arm partners with local organizations to assist residents in Central Louisiana. In 2025, the company reported donating $300,000 directly to local communities and raising an additional $70,000 through partnerships and customer “roundup” programs at the register.

The stability of the business is often attributed to the respect the siblings hold for one another’s expertise. Sondra St. Romain observed that after ten years of joint ownership, the siblings’ greatest achievement is the lack of jealousy and their ability to appreciate each other’s individual strengths.

The largest Y-Not Stop location is scheduled to open in Marksville, Louisiana, later this year on the site of the company’s original retail location.