Pilot Travel Centers LLC and Flying J Inc have completed the merger of the two companies. This creates an expanded network of more than 550 Interstate travel centers and travel plazas focused on customer service and offerings for professional drivers and motorists.
The new company, to be called Pilot Flying J, now operates in 43 states and six Canadian provinces and employs more than 20,000 people. Based in Knoxville TN, it is one of the top 10 privately held companies in the United States.
“We are now one great company, two great brands,” said Jimmy Haslam, Pilot Flying J president and chief executive officer. “Our new organization is a combination of two of the best-known brands in the travel center industry, both with strong family histories and shared values.”
The Federal Trade Commission terminated the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, on June 30, and the combination took effect July 1. In July 2009, Pilot and Flying J announced a preliminary agreement to merge their operations.
Customers still will see the Pilot and Flying J brands on signage at the Interstate facilities. Pilot has begun to accept the TCH card, and Flying J has begun to accept Comdata cards. This change gives truckers more options of where to fuel that are not dependent on the card they carry.
Other plans call for enhanced restaurant offerings with national brands in all locations. Brand additions to Flying J locations in the new network include Denny’s, Subway, and Pizza Hut. In addition, there will be upgrades to drivers’ lounges, new gasoline and diesel pumps, enhanced showers, and remodeled restrooms at many locations.
Pilot Flying J is selling 26 locations to Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores as required by the FTC as a condition for the merger. For a list of affected locations and additional information about the merger, visit www.pilotflyingj.com.
