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What's happening to full service truck stops?

Discussion in 'Truck Stops' started by navypoppop, May 2, 2015.

Page 1 of 3
  1. May 2, 2015 #1
    navypoppop

    navypoppop Heavy Load Member

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    Dec 4, 2014
    Winter Haven, Fl.
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    Has anyone every figured out what has happened to the so-called full service truck stops that used to cater to truck drivers? Just because Pilot or Loves decided that it was more economical to eliminate a full service restaurant from there facilities even T/A and Petro are starting to eliminate their sit down restaurants when they do a re-model of the truck stops. I know a lot of drivers out there do not like T/A or Petro's but putting that aside a full service truck stop should be just that, FULL SERVICE! I began driving far enough back when PURE was the truck stop of choice and when Union 76 took over they were still catering to the truck drivers. Even after the T/A take over it was still OK but things have changed for the worse. Today it is the almighty dollar for them without any sign of good old customer service. Take over a Mom & Pop and then close the restaurant. I'm glad that I am now retired after 45 years and only frequent the ones I chose that care enough to have a sit down restaurant. I hope I haven't offended anyone but I just had to say my 2 cents.
     
    navypoppop, May 2, 2015
    navypoppop, May 2, 2015
    #1
    rexmanno, Numb and passingthru69 Thank this.
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  3. May 2, 2015 #2
    Prom Night Dumpster Baby

    Prom Night Dumpster Baby Medium Load Member

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    Jan 12, 2012
    Bug Tussle, TN
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    Full Service? I have never had anyone fuel my truck,check the oil, wash the windows and park it while I showered and ate. They've been gone decades ago.
     
    Prom Night Dumpster Baby, May 2, 2015
    Prom Night Dumpster Baby, May 2, 2015
    #2
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  4. May 2, 2015 #3
    Jabber1990

    Jabber1990 Road Train Member

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    Jan 10, 2013
    Jackson, MO
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    You can Make more money if you appeal to a larger number of customers than if you appeal to only truck drivers.

    Subway, McDonald's, Popeyes, etc. Will attracts more customers than a Flying J restaurant or Iron Skillet, Country Pride/faire ect.

    More customers= more Money
     
    Jabber1990, May 2, 2015
    Jabber1990, May 2, 2015
    #3
  5. May 2, 2015 #4
    25(2)+2

    25(2)+2 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    18,694
    43,257
    Sep 18, 2006
    the road less travelled
    0
    Probably started with new locations not having the sit down restaurant, although that varies, the new TA at Brooklyn, IA has a Country Pride and something else in the fast food line, and the refurbished purchased TA near Battle Creek, MI have restaurants(I-94 and I-69 south).
    Deforest (Madison), WI is remodeling without including Country Pride.

    Not sure what Jessup, MD is doing, only get a splash of fuel there to get farther down the road.
     
    25(2)+2, May 2, 2015
    25(2)+2, May 2, 2015
    #4
  7. May 2, 2015 #5
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Full service VS. fast food………..and the winner is…..fast food, by popular choice. Businesses look at operating costs and revenue. So, a 1500 Sq ft restaurant that is only one third full most of the time VS. operating a Pz. Hut cubicle with 1 or 2 grunts taking orders and collecting $$$, well, you see where I'm coming from, right ? Plus, drivers prefer goodies they buy at W/M and stock in their fridges, right ? And eat in their truck, right ? Plus, all truck stops cater to the 4 wheeler crowd, and they love their fast food. Quick jump off from the highway, gas/wee-wee/burger to go etc. Bamm….gone in 15 min, on to their destination. Motels are crying too, foe lack of business. You see, lots of folks don't spend the night anywhere, they just jump on the interstate in Long Beach heading for Pensocola and switch drivers along the way to keep from having to stop. (other than gas/wee-wee/burgers) :walk:
     
    Allow Me., May 2, 2015
    Allow Me., May 2, 2015
    #5
  8. May 2, 2015 #6
    MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Isanti, MN
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    Guys here act like truck stops are not true truck stops anymore just to punish them. Its a business and they are trying to maximize profits just like truckers try to maximize their profits.

    Maybe they are making a mistake by doing what they are. Time will tell.
     
    MJ1657, May 2, 2015
    MJ1657, May 2, 2015
    #6
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  9. May 2, 2015 #7
    Starboyjim

    Starboyjim Road Train Member

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    Dec 10, 2011
    Weed, CA
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    We are a revenue source for the major truck stop corporations. No more, no less. It's 2015, and that's the way it is.
     
    Starboyjim, May 2, 2015
    Starboyjim, May 2, 2015
    #7
  10. May 2, 2015 #8
    STexan

    STexan Road Train Member

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    Longview, TX
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    There will always be a small number of truck stops with full sit-down dining service. Probably just enough to satisfy those who want it when they want it. Personally, I find the truck stops are pretty much in line with what I prefer. Quick and cheap most of the time, and when I want a "more comprehensive dining experience" I can usually work that in somewhere.

    The industry will respond to what consumers want. In some cases, a truck stop is trying to cater a restaurant and other "needs" to local patrons, as well as truckers, so they do what they think is wanted and will be most profitable.

    One of the big problems that Denny's and IHops and similar have is finding reliable work, especially as they leave the larger worker centers for more distant locations out in the middle of nowhere. Full service dining is risky enough a venture in a city, but do it at a distant locations where truckers are your primary patrons, and it's almost suicide. If every driver had no problem spending $15+ dollars per meal, 3 times a day, 7 days a week, you'd see LOTS of full service restaurants at truck stops ... but there are very few of those, and the industry and restaurant proprietors know this basic fact.
     
    STexan, May 2, 2015
    STexan, May 2, 2015
    #8
  11. May 2, 2015 #9
    Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    Jan 30, 2012
    Charlotte, N.Carolina
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    Liberty t/s WV I-77 exit 170, will fuel and wash windows while you go in to take a whiz and get coffee.

    also have a sit down restaurant.
     
    Numb, May 2, 2015
    Numb, May 2, 2015
    #9
  12. May 2, 2015 #10
    rjparker

    rjparker Light Load Member

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    Feb 26, 2007
    NH
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    Dysarts in Bangor, ME is still full service. The restaurant still has truckers only tables.
     
    rjparker, May 2, 2015
    rjparker, May 2, 2015
    #10
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