Pilot Co. recently completed its 80th store remodel as part of its $1 billion, multiyear New Horizons initiative, which it launched in 2022 to improve the customer experience and meet the needs of interstate drivers.
The convenience-store chain also recently added two new travel centers in Rialto, California, (pictured) and Odessa, Texas.
By the end of 2023, Pilot Co., Knoxville, Tennessee, aims to open more than a dozen new travel centers, add more than 20 dealer locations to its network and make over an additional 30 stores across 28 states.
“We’re strategically building out and renovating our network with forward-thinking designs and offerings to bring a consistently best-in-class experience to the road for all drivers," said Allison Cornish, senior vice president of store modernization and development. “Every upgrade or new addition is made with our guests and team members in mind.”
The initiative is “a three- to four-year journey,” Cornish told CSP previously. It will include more than 400 of the company’s 644 travel centers and comes after Pilot asked its customers and professional drivers how it can better serve them. The program also is considering future trends and alternative fueling technologies. Foodservice is a substantial part of the endeavor, which also includes storewide enhancements including updating interiors and exteriors, showers, restrooms, driver lounges and team member break rooms and work spaces.
The planned network expansion, including the two newest Pilot travel centers in Odessa, Texas, and Rialto, California, brings much-needed facilities to commercial drivers in these regions, including adding a total of more 600 new commercial truck parking spaces, Pilot said.
The new Pilot travel center in Odessa, Texas, features:
- 16 gasoline fueling positions and six diesel lanes with biofuel, DEF and high-speed pumps for quicker refueling.
- Fresh-made pizza, homestyle meals and grab-and-go food offerings prepared on site daily, including salads, sandwiches, burgers, fruit cups and an array of hot and cold snacks.
- Pilot’s premium coffees, including bean-to-cup selections and cold brew.
- A selection of name brand products, electronics, gifts and gear.
- 39 truck parking spots.
- Four showers.
- Public laundry.
- Full-service and self-checkouts.
The Pilot travel center in Rialto, California, offers:
- 14 gasoline fueling positions and eight diesel lanes with biofuel, DEF, and high-speed pumps for quicker refueling.
- Fresh-made pizza, homestyle meals and grab-and-go food offerings prepared on site daily, including salads, sandwiches, burgers, fruit cups and an array of hot and cold snacks.
- Pilot’s premium coffees, including bean-to-cup selections and cold brew.
- Arby’s with drive-thru.
- Cinnabon.
- Wide selection of name brand products, electronics, gifts and gear.
- 91 truck parking spaces.
- Seven showers.
- Lounge for professional drivers.
- CAT scale.
- Public laundry.
- Full-service and self-checkouts.
To celebrate its two newest locations, Pilot Co. is giving back to the communities it serves with a total of $30,000 in donations to the local schools.
With headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot has more than 800 retail and fueling locations and supplies more than 14 billion gallons of fuel per year to the market. Its Pilot and Flying J travel center network includes more than 750 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces with more than 790 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and truck maintenance and tire services with Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. The One9 Fuel Network connects a variety of fueling locations to provide smaller fleets and independent professional drivers with value, convenience, credit and perks.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.