Opening a new truck stop

I commend anyone (Mom & Pop operations) who has the balls to open up a truck stop...Anywhere...these days......

 

If you go for it, show the details in this site or one like it. Obvious advertising, but those who read it may learn what it takes to establish a privately owned truck stop & understand that side of the business better.

Also, maybe look around for some local diesel repair shops who may be interested in either mobile repair or a small shop on the property.

 

It's a good area for a new truckstop. Your competition would be the FLying J north of you and south (just 10 or so parking spots at the south one though) and the T/A which charges for parking.
If you want decent drivers to stop there and spend money though, you're place will have to fantastic. Good restaurant or uncommon fastfood (no Arby's, subway, etc), paved lot with a good amount of parking, clean showers that don't cost $11 and cheaper fuel. If you don't want to spend the money for this, then go look at the truckstop on 301 between I4 and Freightliner. They are already doing the crappy parking lot that you pay for and not much else anymore. Spend an hour in their parking lot and figure out what kind of money they are making, or rather, not making.

Between the rezoning, advertising, infrastructure, and capital improvements to your property, you are looking at big money (10 million give or take, or even more) to do it right. If you don't want to spend that, see what they want for that truckstop on 301 and see if that works out better with remodeling and advertising costs. A franchise truckstop will bring in far more traffic than your name on the sign ever will due to the shower situation.

A better market would be the Orlando area IMO. No real competition, tons of demand, but a lack of usable (or zoneable) land. I'd put my money into one in Orlando much quicker than one in Tampa.

Just my opinion, as I have thought about this route myself when I had friends that were investors before the markets tanked.

 

I think there is a need for more truck parking/ truckstops, but!, there are to many nasty drivers out there, that just throw there piss bottles and trash on the ground, I've thought about a truck stop, myself, but for me, I would have to charge for parking to help cover cost of the IDIOTS who treat it like a tolet

 

I-75 and I-4 need a truck stop bad. I delivered in that area last week. A Restaurant with home cooking is becoming hard to find. (T/A & Denny's Don't Count) OTR Drivers (Like Me ) will stop for good food. Stay away from fast food. Like other drivers posted, we can get this anywhere. A Good Lunch will draw in the local drivers: (like UPS, Roadway, FedEx, Etc.....) A small well stocked grocery (No $6 for a Gal. of Milk) and cheap showers($12 is a joke) would also be nice.

If drivers park, you need them to spend money at your Truck Stop. Watch out for OTR drivers who live nearby. Drivers who are taking home time will fill up your lot, leaving nowhere for paying customers to park. 2 hours free parking (Come Eat), If you spend money you get a parking pass (Thank You) , Park your truck and go home (Pay A Fee). Lot upkeep is not cheap.
Finally: If you run your business smart (make a profit without price gouging drivers) you will make it.

Lots of drivers are going to be mad with my post. Drivers; Do you want a safe place to park and , where you can get good food so far away from home? Truck Stops are not a Gubberment Social Program. They need to make $ome Money.
Srry, It's the only way.

Good Luck

 

Crushed seashells then, lol. I think that's what that one in Orlando has.

 

You covered it quite well there. There are enough truck stops out there that over charge for food or only have crap food. As the line from the movie says . . . . 'If you build it, they will come'. Put up the right place, and word of mouth will fill that place up! Drivers want a decent place to go that's not looking to rob them blind.

 

THIS!

And dropped trailers, too. I would suggest have a separate area in the back for local guys to park, then charge them. Many of the truck stops in populated areas get filled up with trucks belonging to guys going home. That's bad enough, but they park their cars in "their" spot when they are out in their trucks, so even during the daytime, paying customers have nowhere to go. Even worse, they use the primo spots up front so people who need to wash clothes have to hump their laundry a half mile.

If they want to reserve "their" spot by parking their car in it, then leave their trucks, make them do that at the back of the lot, and charge them a monthly fee. You can track it with "permit" stickers.