What qualities/amenities do you look for in a truckstop?

Parking.

A shower if I'm feeling rambunctious. Otherwise I stay out of em, nothing but trouble and Werner/swift drivers hitting my freaking truck and trailer.

BTW- my trailer got slammed by another swift driver the other day, so don't expect to hear much good about them from me for a while. Dude didn't even realize he hit me...I mean..cmon..

 

I'm sure this policy would bring some customers in. Click here

 

A little more space for each truck. Instead of trying to sardine in every truck you can, give them more room to maneuver and distance from refers? Maybe spaces that have shore power that can be purchased. Reserved parking spots?

Most important over all other is treat your people well so that they have a friendly attitude. I can't remember the name but there is an independent around Nashville that was famous for their service. I have not been there in a long time so I don't know if they are still open.

 

The town of Bedford park, Il. Has been running commercials trying to get investors to build a truck stop in their city and offering incentives , Bedford is a huge industrial area just outside Chicago which really needs truchstops.
The only drawback is its in Cook county which has high sales tax
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Willie Nelson and all of his money couldn't make it go with a truck stop, I wish you well, but hope you have some deep pockets. I'm afraid the big dogs can make your life miserable.

 

I look for good secure parking area with lots of parking, a restaurant that has good prices, good food and good service, clean showers, and a restroom for my wife in the driver's area that she can use instead of having to use the public restrooms. I seek out Petro's and TA for the most part.

 

An awesome free wifi signal I am sure would get people to come in.

 

The Northeast is low on parking. Pull through spots are preferred over small back in spots. A scale is pretty much required.

Fuel would be tough unless you have pumps for 4 wheelers . There wouldn't be any profit in the fuel. The profit from the 4 wheelers would be used to offset the diesel prices. They'll need to be low enough to bring truckers in.


Your own restaurant is where you'll get profits from. It will lose money having to be open 24 hrs. If I was setting up a TS, I would have the restaurant be a separate business leasing out space in the TS. That way if food service doesn't work for you, you can lease to someone else and the TS still has income.

Location, location, location... You have to be easy on/easy off to some main interstate or well traveled state/US highway. Be next to or near by a truck repair shop. Just outside of a city that has an industrial area is a good place. Close to a truck wash or washout place is a bonus if you don't have them as a service to offer. Buy a lot of land so you can expand to offer these services if that will be your long term plan.

Some sort of driver's lounge where we can relax and unwind away from our truck. Possibly some sort of pay per view of current movies or a DVD player available for drivers to bring in their own movies.

Another regular but small profit margin would be laundry facilities.

The biggest draw could be opening a strip club across the street. You'll make a ton of profit there. The TS will become secondary only as a requirement to bring in customers.

Cater to the RV community could bring in some profits too. Having dumps available is a big draw for RVs. Also set up a RV parking area separate from trucks if you want their business.

Just my thoughts. Good luck with however you choose to go.