TravelCenters of America Adds 4 New Stores

WESTLAKE, Ohio — In an update to its store growth and improvements strategy, TravelCenters of America reported it has added four new travel centers, with plans to open four additional locations by the end of 2022, and completed enhancements of more than 50 travel centers as part of a site-upgrade plan announced last year.

• TravelCenters of America is No.28 on CSP’s 2022 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by company-owned store count.

Details …

The four recent travel center openings, three company-owned and -operated and one franchised, increase TA’s nationwide network of travel centers to 280, including 41 franchise sites. The new sites include are in:

• Cuba, Mo. (formerly Midwest Travel Center)
• Fair Play, S.C. (formerly Carolina’s Travel Center)
• Statesboro, Ga. (newly built company owned site) (pictured)
• Riverton, Ill. (newly built franchised site)

The four additional franchised travel centers are expected to open by the end of this year in California (2), Missouri (1) and Oklahoma (1).

Meanwhile, the chain has made updates to more than 50 sites as part of a refresh program. The improvements include enhanced comfort of driver lounges (pictured), renovated restrooms, upgraded showers, new lighting fixtures, new flooring and fresh paint, new store signage and repaved parking lots, it said.

The announcement of the improvements follows TA’s September launch of an initiative to expand its support of professional drivers’ health and well-being through a collaboration with Cleveland Clinic. The collaboration will result in new healthy meal options to be included on the menus at all Country Pride and Iron Skillet full-service restaurants starting Nov. 1 and will identify healthy snack and grab-and-go food options in travel stores.

“We are listening to our guests’ feedback and are pleased to offer what they are looking for—a welcoming and engaging travel-center experience—through newly built and refreshed locations,” said CEO Jon Pertchik. “As we continue growing to serve more travelers, we are enhancing their experience by expanding food offerings, supporting guest health and continuing to update and upgrade our sites.”

Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America, a publicly traded, full-service travel center network, has 280 locations in 44 states and Canada, principally under the TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express brands. Offerings include diesel and gasoline fuel, truck maintenance and repair, full-service and quick-service restaurants (QSR), travel stores, car and truck parking and other services. The company operates more than 600 full-service and quick-service restaurants and nine proprietary brands, including Iron Skillet and Country Pride.