BUTTE, Mont. -- Town Pump Inc., a gasoline/convenience retailer operating exclusively in Montana, has purchased the Flying J Travel Centers in Billings, Great Falls and Rocker (near Butte). These locations were not among those sold to Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. last week as part of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) conditions to approve the Pilot Travel Centers LLC and Flying J Inc. merger.
According to the FTC, the deal between Pilot and Flying J would have reduced competition for certain long-haul trucking fleets for which Pilot and Flying J were the first and second choices for their diesel needs. The sale of 26 locations to Oklahoma City-based Love's "will resolve the competitive concerns resulting from Pilot's acquisition of Flying J's travel center business, which would have likely resulted in higher diesel fuel prices for long-haul trucking fleets," the FTC said.
The divestiture to Love's, along with Love's plans for expansion, will allow it to compete better for long-haul fleets that otherwise would be harmed by Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot's acquisition of Ogden, Utah-based Flying J. (Click here for previous CSP Daily News coverage of the Pilot Flying J and Love's story.)
These three facilities in Montana being purchased by Butte-based Town Pump will continue to operate under the Flying J brand.
They "are still members of the extended Flying J family and will function as Flying J dealers under the ownership of Town Pump," said a Flying J Facebook post.
Details of the purchase are confidential, Town Pump said.
All three locations, which employ about 100 people, each have a convenience store, truck-fueling operation, casino and restaurant. Jackrabbit Reds will continue to lease and operate the casinos. Town Pump will operate the restaurant in Rocker, and Denny's will take over the Billings and Great Falls restaurants.
"We have met with the Flying J employees and offered them employment with Town Pump," Town Pump spokesperson Maureen Kenneally said.
The employment offer comes with a full benefit package, Kenneally added, including
competitive wages, 401(k) and profit sharing, health insurance, flex benefits, paid vacation and advancement opportunities.
"Town Pump is excited for the opportunity to serve a broader market segment," she said. "This purchase allows us to offer a wider variety of amenities and conveniences to customers traveling across Montana, especially long-haul carriers who can travel 500 to 600 miles between fuel stops."
Flying J distinguishes itself from other travel centers with a variety of unique loyalty programs, she said. Those include the Frequent Fueler Club, the Rewards Club, and the R.V. Real Value Club. "We are pleased to continue offering these programs to Flying J's loyal customers," she said.
Kenneally said Town Pump plans to make investments and upgrades at all three properties, beginning with the installation of its "state-of-the-art fuel inventory control system and point-of-sale equipment."
Town Pump Inc. operates 81 company-owned Town Pump Food Stores. Gasoline brands include Exxon, Conoco and Cenex. The company has 21 truckstop locations; it operates six branded Pilot Travel Centers.
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