Top Line Business Development Corp. has partnered with Robinsons Retail Holdings, Inc. to bring convenience store chain Uncle John’s into its fuel stations, as the listed firm ramps up efforts to diversify income beyond fuel sales.
Under the agreement, Uncle John’s will serve as the anchor tenant across TOP’s Tier 1 Light Fuels stations—full-service sites designed to combine fuel retail with commercial leasing. The move reflects a broader industry shift toward turning gas stations into multi-use service hubs, where food, retail, and fuel intersect.
“Our partnership… strengthens customer traffic across our stations while allowing us to diversify revenue through non-fuel sales and leasing income,” said TOP chairman and chief executive officer Eugene Erik Lapasaran Lim.
The strategy allows TOP to generate more foot traffic, more spending per visit. By embedding convenience stores in its stations, the company aims to cushion itself from fuel price volatility—a persistent risk in the sector—while unlocking recurring rental and retail income streams.
The partnership also expands Uncle John’s footprint into provincial and high-traffic transport corridors, aligning with Robinsons Retail’s push to capture demand outside major urban centers. Many of TOP’s stations are located in underserved areas, giving the convenience chain access to new customer bases with limited retail options.
TOP currently operates 18 stations, with 32 more under construction or renovation and slated for phased completion through 2026. Uncle John’s outlets will be rolled out progressively alongside these new sites.
The pivot toward integrated station formats signals TOP’s longer-term play: evolving from a traditional fuel retailer into a service-oriented network. As margins from fuel sales remain sensitive to global oil swings, non-fuel businesses—particularly convenience retail—are emerging as a more stable growth driver.
If executed well, the partnership could turn routine fuel stops into higher-value transactions, positioning TOP to capture both mobility and everyday consumer spending in one stop.
