Inside Jones Petroleum's First Travel Center

JACKSON, Ga. — Jones Petroleum’s opened a 23,000-square-foot travel center, simply dubbed JP Travel Center, in Jackson, Ga., in November. The store was built on “the first site coming south out of Atlanta that you can easily get on and off of Interstate 75,” making it an ideal stop coming into the city or leaving town.

Working with designers Paragon Solutions, Jones aimed to be “the blue Panera,” referring to the popular fast-casual chain. “It’s almost a spa feel.” Ken Johnson, director of c-store operations, told CSP Daily News. “It looks expensive. It’s a bright and modern look.”

The site includes three quick-service restaurants—Subway, Dunkin and Burger King—roller grill, packaged sandwiches and multiple coffee options.

Here’s a look inside …

Jones included a dog park to the travel center to appeal to truck drivers who travel with pets.

Jones Petroleum committed extra space to restrooms for privacy and upscale fixtures. Owner Bill Jones says the upscale restrooms are the real home run of the company’s first travel center.

The Georgia Grown section is stocked with unique products produced by local vendors.

Even with full-sized Dunkin and Burger King restaurants on the site, Jones is pleased to see its own Red Bug Coffee perform well. The real dog at the center of the proprietary Red Bug logo belongs to Vice President of Retail Operations Natalie Jones.

The other dog in Jones Petroleum’s life is the University of Georgia’s bulldog mascot.

A 2,500-square-foot gift and home decor section with prices ranging from $5.99 to hundreds of dollars is a key lure for female customers. The selection includes stuffed animals, baby blankets, sunglasses, sports memorabilia, holiday ornaments and much more.

Five checkout lanes to the left, right and center of the main entrance provide multiple areas for impulse product placement.

The Refresh cold dispensed section brings together fountain, iced tea, frozen dispensed and smoothies, while tables in the nearby seating area are equipped with outlets and paired with free Wi-Fi to encourage customers to stay awhile.

Even with three QSR franchises on the property, packaged food products are performing well, according to Vice President of Retail Operations Natalie Jones.

Click here to read more about the JP Travel Center.