Apr. 13, 2018
Knoxville-based Pilot Flying J continues to expand and elevate its network of travel centers across North America to better serve its guests. Through the opening of new stores and Truck Care Service Centers, as well as existing store enhancements, Pilot Flying J has invested more than $86 million in its travel center network and generated 642 new jobs since the start of the year.
Since Jan. 1, Pilot Flying J has opened five new stores located in Houston, Texas; Lamar, Colorado; Summerville, South Carolina; Suffolk, Virginia; and Falfurrias, Texas with one additional location opened through its affiliate, Shell Flying J, in Ste. Agathe, Manitoba, in Canada. The new travel center locations generated a total of 441 new jobs, added over 200 commercial truck parking spaces and are expected to contribute a total of $11.7 million to the local economies.
“Pilot Flying J is always looking for opportunities to improve the guest experience by expanding our network, improving our current facilities and exploring new technologies,” Pilot Flying J President Ken Parent said. “By investing in both new and existing stores, we aim to add convenience, quality and added value for our guests, including motorists and professional drivers. The win-win is that we’re also able to make an economic impact in communities throughout the United States and Canada through jobs and tax revenue.”
In addition to opening new stores in 2018, Pilot Flying J has continued to add to its new and growing Pilot Flying J Truck Care network, which provides on-site service and mobile emergency roadside assistance to professional drivers. Six Pilot Flying J Truck Care Service Centers have opened in 2018, located at travel centers in West Memphis, Arkansas; Hurricane Mills, Tennessee; Bloomington, Illinois; Rhome, Texas; Latta, South Carolina; and Tulsa, Oklahoma. The new service centers have brought 120 highly specialized, skilled trade jobs to the communities. In total, Pilot Flying J has approximately 150 mobile emergency trucks on the road in 36 states and 11 service centers, with another four locations planned to open by mid-year. For more information, visit www.pilotflyingj.com/truck-care.
The company continues its 2017 commitment to invest $485 million over the next five years in upgrades to existing stores, finishing renovations at six additional locations thus far in 2018. Completed improvements include new restrooms, new and additional showers, expanded fuel lanes, additional parking, PJ Fresh food options and deli enhancements, restaurant additions, lighting, tiling, laundry services and more. One of the locations in Remington, Indiana, was a ground-up rebuild that re-opened in January 2018, featuring more than 12,000 square feet of upgraded food offerings and amenities, including a new Taco Bell with drive-thru and enhanced Subway. Through the addition of restaurants and other services, enhancements to existing stores have added 81 additional jobs in 2018.
“We will continue to grow and improve our network throughout the year to meet the needs of our guests and provide the best service and amenities available on the road,” Parent said. “As we look to the future, supporting the evolving needs of our guests through technology will play a critical role in making their traveling experience easier, simpler and more efficient. For 60 years it has been our goal to make the guest experience on the road the best it can be, and we remain committed to doing that every day.”
Guests can make the most out of their experience at Pilot and Flying J locations by saving time and money with the myPilot® app, including a 3-cent gas or auto diesel discount. Using the myOffers® feature in the app, guests can save in-store with valuable weekly deals on food and beverages. For professional drivers, Pilot Flying J in December 2017 launched Live Parking, a new myPilot® app capability providing access to real-time parking availability, as well as a reservation feature at select locations where parking is in extreme shortage. Other time-saving features professional drivers can utilize with the myPilot® app include virtual wallet with mobile fueling, shower reservations, quick access to Truck Care Roadside Assistance, location finding and trip planning.
The combined network of more than 750 Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers across North America serve more than 1.6 million customers daily. To learn more about Pilot Flying J travel center amenities and locations, visit www.pilotflyingj.com.
About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations in 44 states, Roadside assistance available at over 145 locations nationwide and growing as part of its Truck Care program, 44 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Centers, and 34 Boss Shops. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 72,000 parking spaces for trucks with Prime Parking at more than 400 locations, 5,200 deluxe showers and more than 6,200 diesel lanes with 5,200 offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at the pump. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 15 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.
