I'm looking for opinions from truck drivers. In addition to having our own truck my husband and I also want to purchase a lot for drivers to park and then build it up from there to eventually have a diner, convenience store and small shop to do minor repairs, tune ups and tire services plus other services typical of a truck stop. It'll take several years to get there but I like to be proactive. I want it to be somewhere that feels safe and cozy, as much as is possible when you're on the road. I know there is typically a lot fast food and Denny's but I want to serve food comfort homestyle food that has elevated flavors and isn't just cookie cutter chain restaurant food so to speak, so my question is this:
As a driver that spends most of your time away from home and is looking for a home cooked meal because fast food has lost its charm, what kind of food would you like to see on the menu at a diner?
For background I'm a professional chef and my husband is a driver so he has given me a lot of great ideas but I'd like to ask the group and get your thoughts as well. I have already written a menu that I think is pretty good and I'd be happy to share it if requested, but maybe you can offer some advice for things I haven't thought of. The idea is to serve homestyle food (pork chops, steak, meatloaf, wings, roasted chicken, pot roast etc.)
Let me know your thoughts!
I had another idea that IDK if it will work or not so I'm gonna as well: If a truck stop had a small grocery store where you could purchase fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins would you find that helpful and actually use it or am I trying to do too much? We essentially want a tiny trucker town.
Also, anything other services you would love to see at more truck stops or ideas would be appreciated!
A question for truckers about eating on the road and truck stops!
Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by agiamboni, Feb 9, 2025.
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Your basic business idea is terrific.
I think most other CDL drivers here on the Forum would very much welcome & support a more-than-worthy alternative to the big chains that have almost taken completely over the truck stop business -- especially if it offered homey, comfort-style cooked foods that we could look forward to....at the end of a tough day out on the road (of which there are many).
The genius part is of course bringing it all to fruition.
-- Lnavypoppop Thanks this. -
Omgosh my husband knew exactly which place you were talking about lol!
I love that, a hardware store is great and I never even thought of a Deli
viper822004 and Numb Thank this. -
One nontrivial issue is that you'd be in competition with the big chains. Gone are the days when drivers decided where to fuel. Owner-ops can do what they want, but company drivers fuel (and eat, shower etc, since they usually don't have the luxury of fuel at location A, shower at B, eat at C) where management decides to let them, and managers don't give a care about anything but how cheap they can get that fuel. It can be a hard row to hoe for an independent TS to make it these days, which, unfortunately, is why you see less and less of them.
I don't want to whiz all over your dream, and I honestly hope you not only succeed, but start reversing the trend. Just pointing out a potential obstacle to overcome.navypoppop, TurkeyCreekJackJohnson and lual Thank this.
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