Flying J

Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot Flying J became the nation’s largest operator of truckstops and the largest seller of diesel fuel to over-the-road truckers after the merger of Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J in 2010. It has locations in 46 states, located off major highways and thoroughfares, that cater to fleets, professional drivers and traveling motorists.

In 2016, it formed a joint venture with Speedway, Enon, Ohio, to operate travel centers in the Southeast. Pilot Flying J has converted the sites, former Speedway/WilcoHess locations, to either the Pilot or the Flying J brand.

Pilot Flying J recently received the blessing of investment guru Warren Buffet, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, Omaha, Neb., which bought a 38.6% minority interest in the travel-center chain for a reported $27.6 billion in October 2017, according to Bloomberg. The deal will eventually lead to Berkshire owning a majority interest by 2023.

In terms of fueling programs, customers can save cents per gallon on gasoline and automobile diesel when they use the myPilot app. The app is also tied to the company’s in-store marketing efforts, allowing customers to use the rewards card to collect points and redeem them for promotional items such as slices of pizza.