Brad Anderson, president of retail for Knoxville, Tennessee-based Pilot Co., said the industry trend he’s most excited about is the convergence of the physical and digital experience, “making it one continuous journey for our guests.”
“The ongoing investments in upgrading our stores and enhancing our digital properties are tangible proof of our commitment,” said Anderson, who was named to the new role in July. “Our guests can seamlessly transition from using the Pilot app to book a shower, reserve parking or place a mobile order to have it ready when they arrive at a store.”
- Pilot Co. is No. 16 on CSP’s 2025 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by store count.
However, consumers are cautious with their spending and are making more trips to club and dollar stores, said Anderson, who was chief operating officer before the promotion.
“This creates more competition for those trips, so we must create value through bundles and great food offerings and deliver exceptional service to stay competitive with the changes in consumer habits,” he said.
Anderson said talent acquisition and retention remain industry challenges, adding, “We are committed to investing in our team members and creating a culture where people feel safe, know they belong and have a positive work environment.”
Pilot Co. invests heavily in development, offering structured programs like the First Five that provide defined training from day one.
“By investing in their growth, we demonstrate to our team members that their role at Pilot can evolve into long-term, fulfilling career paths,” he said.
In his new position, in addition to hoping to ensure that Pilot is a great place to work for its team members, he also wants to solidify Pilot’s “position as the leading energy and experience provider people rely on to fuel their journeys.”
Two examples: Pilot is working on expanding its craveable foods to more locations and growing its digital footprint, he added.
Pilot’s 2026 growth strategy is primarily focused on organic growth and strategic infrastructure expansion, Anderson said.
“Our biggest organic play is the continued momentum of our modernization initiative,” he said. “We know remodeled locations see significantly higher customer return rates, so updating our store is paramount to our core business growth.”
“In parallel, we execute new network expansion through strategic builds and partnerships,” he added. “We continue to open new travel centers, targeting key freight corridors and high-volume leisure travel routes where our amenities are most needed.”
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