RESEARCH--TRUCK STOPS

[HARDDRIVE]

Hi Guys

I'm looking for input from today's Road warriors

I doing research on the possibility on opening a truck stop.

Now, Of course, I would put in the major items, Fuel, oil, etc.
and Food & a restaurant.

What would your top 3 to 5 amenities you would want @ a truck stop
that would be low cost or free with a Fuel purchase? i.e.. showers, coffee?

At this stage in my planning , Lets just say with any idea the sky's the limit!

Thx

Hard Drive

 

[Critter Truckin]

One thing I would have to know before any advice, is where are you opening this joint? If you're in the North, then there would be somethings that you would put into it that wouldn't go into one in the South.

For instance, I really wouldn't need de-icing equipment in the South (except in cases like last Sunday in Arkansas). If I were in the North, I would want a LOT of mosquito netting in the Summer!!!

 

[bryan]

HI
1]A system for van drivers to get free or discounted showers.We can only put in 35 gallons max each fill-up but we have to fuel more often.
2]Soup and sandwich for under $5.00.Good coffee.
3]Lighted area where we can walk around to get exersize.
4]An area where vans and straight trucks can park together.I hardly ever get to talk to straight truck drivers because I have to park in the car area.
5]Trees. Lots of trees.They provide shade and break up the exhaust fumes.
6]Please no outside speakers annoucing "DRIVER #00 YOUR SHOWER IS NOW READY".

 

[LDB]

As a single location you would have a somewhat different list of amenities. You could offer a driver reward card and points redeemable for restaurant or whatever but it isn't going to be good except if/when the driver returns to your location. If I were stopping at a solo location I'd want a shower and a soda/coffee for fueling as my two primary interests. Good luck to you.

Leo Bricker, owner trucks 3034, 4958
OOIDA 677319
73's K5LDB
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator 1+ Years of Service
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[terryandrene]

I want all of the above.
I want a barber shop with a real barber, not just a hair stylist.
I want a medical clinic for DOT physicals, random drug/alcohol tests and repair of minor boo-boo's
I want real restaurants within walking distance.
I want motels nearby.
I want the truck stop to have employees that act as though they appreciate my business.
I want electric power plug-ins in the expediter van parking area.
I want a bunkhouse for the homeless folks so they don't have to sleep in the TV room.
I want telephone booths with writing counter, ala Fly J.
I want a shower with two fluffy towels and a wash rag, hooks, off-the-floor space for my shower bag, vanity space for my toiletry bag, quiet ventilation.
I want TripPak, mail and newspaper machines and stands for the Expedite Now digest.
I want a free terminal with access to weather information.

 

[RichM]

I want separate parking for trucks that need to idle a 14 liter engine and for trucks like me that do not idle period. Separate parking for reefer and livestock units.
Friendly clerks LOl if thats possible.

 

[guest]

Considering how many well known non-chain truck stops have closed recently, I am surprised to hear of someone interested in putting up the amount of money it would take to open a new one.

As far as amenities go, setting up the parking lot so that all spaces are pull-through would be nice. One nice thing about pull-through spots is a straight truck and a tractor can both park in one spot.

Also, make sure the employees have a good dental plan. Something about working at a truck stop seems to promote tooth decay.

A Japanese style micro-mini motel would be nice. For, say $12.99, you get an area smaller than a shower room with a bunk with clean sheets and mattress and a side table area with a small tv with cable and a satellite radio receiver. An obvious problem with these bunk areas is the lot lizard element--perhaps you could put a cattle guard type device on the threshold of the rooms that would not permit anyone wearing high heels to cross.

 

[sjbr549]

a gym would be nice some weights and a place to run or walk would be great

 

[RichM]

The gym's were tried a few years ago and didn't get much useage. Most of the Guys"gals were more interested in running to the buffet.

 

[Critter Truckin]

How about a t-shirt shop that sells bigger than XL? Nothing freaks me out more than a 2X shirt on a 4X gut!!!

 

[Broompilot]

If you are serious, than go check out the Jabiz in Portland OR, and than work for QTs I might be wrong but the chain in GA, and MO,. Friendly clean toothed, educated happy to be there employees. Ones a quick fill up and go chain, but the JABIZ in Portland OR is the truck stops of truck stops, nothing in the USA could come close. They probably have a Web Site and if you cannot get there by 8pm you may need a cab it has everything from 2 movie theathers, to a full service bar with live music.

 

[ConfusedMuse]

Here's the web site for Jubitz http://www.jubitztravelcenter.com/
Looks really nice in the pictures.

 

[ATeam]

It does not matter to us what ammenities a truck stop has or does not have. If we know it to be a generally dirty place, we drive on by. The best thing you can put in your new truck stop is an extra cleaning person or two who know how to empty the trash and change the mop water.

Two research tips for you:

1. Visit Dysarts truck stop on I-95 in Maine. It's independent and doing well.

2. Read the book, "The Flying J Story" by Howard M. Carlisle. The book has a major shortcoming in that the author is Jay Call's biggest fan (Jay Call is the founder of Flying J.) There are a number of people who have been ground up and spit out as Flying J marched on. The author glosses over those stories. Nevertheless, the book presents a somewhat infomative history of the truck stop marketplace. The book will also give you some insights into what opening a truck stop anywhere requires today and the kind of capital and management talent it takes to keep one afloat.

 

[guest]

I think if the place is clean, the people who work there are generally nice and friendly, the food tastes good and the fuel is competitively priced you're off to a very good start.

 

[tec1959]

You know you never can have enough truck stops,I think being clean,Fresh and a little different will go along way.Everyone who posted has given some very good ideas...

 

[mrgoodtude]

Two thumbs up on the Jubitz, 2 motels, movie theater, great restaurant the showers for drivers have marble and tile and if you need boots Bernie has run a boot shop there for over 20 years. It is across the interstate from a mall and all the folks are friendly. Oh almost forgot, if you need Freightliner parts or service they are right across the street.
Mike and Cyn

 

[WheelerDealer]

Clean, Clean and try not to over charge on breakfast. I was raised in the restaurant industry and 6 and 7 bucks for a couple of eggs and bacon is a rip off. I have been doing this for about 3 months now in a c wagon and would like it if I did not have to dead head back from everywhere I have been.:9

 

[BigBusBob]

Let me try this again... I spent an hour writing a nice reply and I got kicked offline...
Well, Hello again, from Salt Lake City, Utah, again.

Truck Stops...
I'm gonna shorten it this time...
the Iowa 80 is nice.
Little America in Wyoming is nice.
I'm waiting to see if the poster replies to any of these replies...
then I'll write more.

 

[RichM]

Little America in Flagstaff is nice. Also Sheetz on I 80 near Dubios Pa has some of the best showers on the East coast.

 

[dieselphreak2K]

#1- a real CB shop. Not just whatever Barjan sells in their plan-o-gram.

#2- Seperate Expediter parking, for vans and straights. With shore power at the least. (idle aire is awesome)

#3- A restraunt with a healthier menu, after all, the job's nature lends itself to weight gain.

#4- Chrome Shop, or at least some little doodads, it's nice to spoil one's self sometimes.