OKLAHOMA CITY --Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. is coming off the busiest year of store openings in company history, it said, opening 27 new locations and adding more than 2,000 truck-parking spaces. With plans for more travel stops, as well as growth beyond the stores, 2016 will be even more active, according to the company.
“Love’s plans to open more than 40 new locations across 28 states in 2016, which will be the most Love’s has opened in a given year in our history,” said co-CEO Frank Love. “We remain committed to providing more safe places for our customers to fuel, park and rest, and these newly constructed locations will add more than 3,200 truck-parking spaces to our network.”
In addition to expanding along busy interstates, Love’s will open more than 20 locations along state and federal highways to provide services to drivers in more areas. All new travel stops will offer amenities such as showers, truck parking, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and other driver services.
“The travel stops are our core business, and we’re always examining ways to improve our Customers’ experience,” said Love. “We maintain a robust remodel schedule to ensure that our existing locations remain clean, safe and well-maintained. Meanwhile, we continue to grow in other areas that complement our stores.”
Love’s will begin working with three new restaurant concepts in 2016, bringing Love’s total number of QSRs to 19. Love’s first Dunkin Donuts will open later this month in Canaan, N.Y. Love’s first IHOP Express is scheduled to launch in Sidney, Neb., this spring, and the company’s first Taco John’s will also begin serving customers in Liberal, Kansas, this spring.
Love’s interstate hotel business also continues to expand. The company currently operates four hotels. It has scheduled 10 additional locations to open adjacent to Love’s stores this year.
“Thanks to the ongoing support of our customers, we continue to significantly expand our travel stop network, as well as associated businesses. We look forward to providing them with more options and services in 2016 and beyond,” said Love.
Family-owned and -operated Love’s is based in Oklahoma City. Founded in 1964, it has more than 360 locations in 40 states. Love’s provides professional truck drivers and motorists with 24-hour access to clean and safe places to purchase gasoline, diesel fuel, travel items, electronics, snacks and more, as well as a selection of restaurant offerings. On-site Love’s Truck Tire Care centers offer roadside assistance, tire care and light mechanical services for professional truck drivers. Showers, CAT scales and other services for professional truck drivers are also available.
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