Pilot Flying J became the nation’s largest operator of truck stops and the largest seller of diesel fuel to over-the-road truckers after the merger of Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J in 2010. Catering to professional drivers and traveling motorists across the country, the company’s travel centers offer c-stores and a wide variety of well-known quick-service restaurants, most of which operate all day, along with amenities such as fueling stations, showers, Wi-Fi connectivity and ATMs.
In January 2017, the company made its foodservice strategy known by hiring a restaurant-industry veteran as its new vice president of food innovation. Shannon Johnson came to Pilot Flying J after stints as chief food innovation officer for KFC and product innovation director for McDonald’s USA. The hire fuels Pilot’s PJ Fresh Marketplace brand, modeled after a fast-casual positioning, with food options that include freshly made salads, fruit bowls, sandwiches, chicken wings, tacos, meatloaf entrees and roasted chicken dinners.
The focus is part of the company’s $485 million five-year modernization and expansion plan.
Source: Convenience Digital Resource Library, Technomic
| Headquarters: | Knoxville, Tennessee |
|---|---|
| No. of Stores: | 735 |
| Average Store Size: | 25,000 sq. ft. |
| Rank: | 12 |
| Rank Last Year: | 15 |
| States of Operation: | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Website: | http://www.pilotflyingj.com |