Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores is a North American chain of truck stops and convenience stores. Founded in 1964 by Tom Love, Love's provides professional truck drivers and motorists with 24-hour access to clean and safe places to purchase gasoline, diesel fuel, travel items, electronics, snacks, and more. The company also has a growing presence in the fast food industry, with restaurants located in many of their travel stops.

History

Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores was founded in 1964 in Watonga, Oklahoma, by Tom Love. It started with a single store and has grown into a network of more than 500 locations across the United States. The company is privately owned and headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Love's was one of the first to offer self-service gasoline in the country, which was a significant shift in how gas stations operated at the time.

Services

Love's provides many services aimed at truck drivers, including truck maintenance through Love's Truck Tire Care centers, roadside assistance, and more. For the general public, Love's offers amenities such as clean restrooms, convenience stores, and fast-food restaurants. Some of the most common restaurant brands found at Love's locations include Subway, McDonald's, and Arby's.

Travel Stops

The travel stops are designed to provide a comprehensive range of services for professional truck drivers, including fuel, a truck tire care center, showers, and laundry facilities. Many locations also include a Love's Truck Tire Care center, offering tire repairs and replacements, and light mechanical services.

Convenience Stores

The convenience stores at Love's offer a wide range of products for travelers, including snacks, drinks, travel accessories, and electronics. Love's places a strong emphasis on customer service and cleanliness, making their stores a preferred stop for families and professional drivers alike.

Expansion and Growth

Over the years, Love's has continued to expand its services and locations. This includes the acquisition of Speedco, a national network of service locations that provides quick lube and inspection services to the trucking industry, further expanding Love's service offerings to the professional driving community.

Corporate Responsibility

Love's is committed to giving back to the communities in which it operates. The company has a long history of philanthropy, supporting various causes and organizations, particularly those focused on children's health and education.

Challenges

Like any large retail and service operation, Love's faces challenges including fluctuating fuel prices, regulatory changes, and the need to continuously improve customer service. Additionally, the company competes with other large truck stop and convenience store chains for market share.

Future Directions

Love's continues to grow, both in terms of the number of locations and the services offered. The company is also exploring new technologies and innovations to improve customer service and operational efficiency, including the adoption of alternative fuel options and digital services to enhance the customer experience.