KNOXVILLE, Tenn., March 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilot Company, one of the leading suppliers of fuel and the largest operator of travel centers in North America, announced today a $1 billion initiative focused on upgrading the experience and equipping its stores for the future of travel. The three-year project, called New Horizons, marks the company's largest investment in store modernization to date and will fully remodel more than 400 Pilot and Flying J travel centers, as well as make upgrades at several more locations across the country.
Pilot Company launches a $1 billion initiative, New Horizons, to remodel over 400 of its Pilot Flying J travel centers, upgrading every aspect of the experience and preparing for the future.
Top to bottom store overhauls will remodel store exteriors to include updated branding, well-lit parking lots and fully modernized fuel pumps at Pilot and Flying J travel centers.
Updated store layouts and expanded kitchens will enable more Pilot and Flying J travel centers to offer a wider variety of freshly prepared grab-and-go foods, premium coffee and cold drinks.
Pilot’s signature hot meals and pizza that are made fresh daily will be available at hundreds of additional travel centers to provide guests with a greater selection of foods for every occasion.
Upgraded dining spaces and lounges offer guests plenty of room to relax and recharge with spacious, clean and comfortable seating areas that have built-in charging stations.
Logo for New Horizons, which is Pilot Company’s largest investment to-date in store modernization to enhance the guest and team member experience at its travel centers nationwide.
With this $1 billion investment in its stores, Pilot Company is renewing its commitment to being the industry's leading network of travel centers in both size and experience. Based on guest and team member feedback, New Horizons includes top to bottom store overhauls, remodeling restrooms and showers, expanding kitchen and dining areas, improving driver-focused amenities, expanding digital engagement with our guests, and installing the latest in fueling and retail technology.
"For 63 years, we've been proud to fuel millions of journeys and as we have done since our founding, we will continue to evolve the travel center experience to meet the changing needs of our guests and team members," said Shameek Konar, Pilot Company CEO. "We are listening to what our guests want most at our locations and how we can improve our offerings to make their travels easier and more enjoyable. New Horizons will incorporate this feedback as we overhaul our entire network to deliver on what our guests value today and prepare our stores for the future."
The New Horizons project will be completed in several phases as the company progresses its store design and incorporates new innovations. The first phase is now underway with more than 50 Pilot and Flying J travel centers planned to be renovated this year.
Key enhancements of New Horizons include:
Store exteriors and interiors: Top to bottom overhauls from the curb to the counter, including more energy-efficient lighting for well-lit parking lots, improved fueling experience, updated branding, refaced walls and store features with industrial style accents to create a welcoming environment that leaves a lasting impression.
Restrooms, showers and laundry: Adding more and remodeling existing facilities with modern, energy efficient fixtures – including touchless where possible – new tile, fresh paint and brighter lighting.
Seating and lounges: Expanding spaces for guests to relax with comfortable furnishings and additional dining areas.
Retail, food and beverage: Redesigned store layouts will increase variety and bring more of Pilot's signature fresh deli items, including pizza, homestyle meals, grab-and-go foods, and premium coffee to more locations, all in an easy-to-shop atmosphere.
New technology: Installing state-of-the-art retail and fueling technology, including adding self-checkouts, to increase efficiency and enable team members to further personalize the guest experience.
Improved team member areas: Upgrading, reconfiguring and expanding breakrooms and workspaces, including installing new kitchen equipment and back-office solutions, to make team members' jobs easier and able to focus more on providing great service.
Future innovations: Equipping our stores with fueling alternatives, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and developing a strategy to support low emission and zero emission vehicles.
As part of New Horizons, Pilot Company is furthering its investment in the communities where its stores are located through its giving back program. This year, Pilot Company will donate more than $500,000 to support local school districts in the areas where its building new locations or remodeling stores. The contributions will go towards providing students with equal access to educational technology, a key focus area of giving back for the company. To learn more about Pilot Company's giving initiatives, visit pilotcompany.com/about.
"Our team members are an integral part of the guest experience, and we want to equip them with the tools to succeed while furthering our commitment to being a great place to work," Konar explained. "With New Horizons, we are investing in the total Pilot experience – from our team members to our guests and to the communities we serve."
Pilot Travel Centers LLC ("Pilot Company") keeps North America's drivers moving as one of the leading suppliers of fuel and the largest operator of travel centers. Founded in 1958 and headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Company has grown its network to more than 800 retail and fueling locations and as the third largest tanker fleet in North America, supplies more than 14 billion gallons of fuel per year to the market. Its energy division also supplies DEF, bio and renewable fuels and provides hauling and disposal services to the oil field sector. Pilot Company serves 1.5 million guests per day and provides over 70,000 fleet customers with solutions for fuel, credit, factoring, services and rewards. Its Pilot Flying J Travel Center network includes over 750 locations in 44 states and five Canadian provinces with more than 790 restaurants, 75,000 truck parking spaces, 5,300 deluxe showers, 6,200 diesel lanes and offers truck maintenance and tire service with Southern Tire Mart at Pilot Flying J. The One9 Fuel Network connects a variety of fueling locations to provide smaller fleets and independent professional drivers with everyday value, convenience, credit and perks. More information on locations and rewards are available in the myRewards PlusTM app.
Pilot Company is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. For additional information about Pilot Company, its 28,000 team members and commitment to giving back, visit www.pilotcompany.com.
SOURCE Pilot Company
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