Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway since January 2024, operates the largest network of travel centers in North America. The company began in 1958 when James Haslam II opened the first Pilot station in Gate City, Virginia. Over the years, Pilot Flying J has grown from a single fuel stop into a major player in the travel center industry, notably merging with Flying J in 2010 to form its current brand identity.

As of January 2025, Pilot Flying J runs 655 corporately operated locations across 43 states and six Canadian provinces. The company does not franchise its stores, ensuring consistent standards and operations across its footprint. Its travel centers are designed to serve both professional drivers and everyday travelers, offering a broad range of amenities such as fueling, truck maintenance, showers, laundry, and diverse food options. This combination of services supports a wide customer base and drives steady traffic to its sites.

In recent years, Pilot Flying J has accelerated its growth and modernization efforts. In 2023 alone, the company opened 10 new travel centers and added more than 20 dealer locations, with a particular focus on major interstate corridors and underserved markets. Priority expansion markets include Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, and Tennessee. The ongoing $1 billion New Horizons initiative is transforming existing sites with upgraded facilities and enhanced amenities, aiming to appeal to both truck drivers and general motorists.

Pilot Flying J’s scale, operational consistency, and commitment to reinvestment have made it a dependable anchor for commercial real estate projects near major highways and in growth corridors. The company’s ability to evolve its store formats and invest in new builds and remodels signals a strong posture for continued expansion. With approximately 30,000 employees and headquarters in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J remains a trusted and forward-thinking operator in the travel center and convenience retail sector.