Love's Reveals Plans for Even More Active Growth in 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Last year proved busy for Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores and the company has no intention of slowing down in 2016.

In 2015, Love's opened 27 new locations and added more than 2,000 truck parking spaces — the most in the company's history. This year, plans are on the drawing board for even more growth.

"Love's plans to open more than 40 new locations across 28 states in 2016, which will be the most Love's has opened in a given year in our history," said Frank Love, co-CEO of Love's. "We remain committed to providing more safe places for our customers to fuel, park and rest, and these newly constructed locations will add more than 3,200 truck parking spaces to our network."

In addition to expanding along interstates, Love's will open more than 20 locations along state and federal highways to provide services to drivers in more areas. All new travel stops will offer amenities such as showers, truck parking, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and other driver services.

"The travel stops are our core business and we're always examining ways to improve our customers' experience," Love said. "We maintain a robust remodel schedule to ensure that our existing locations remain clean, safe and well-maintained. Meanwhile, we continue to grow in other areas that complement our stores."

Also on Love's agenda for this year: three new restaurant concepts. This move will bring its total QSR partners to 19. Specifically, Love's first Dunkin' Donuts location will open later this month in Canaan, N.Y. The company's first IHOP Express is scheduled to launch in Sidney, Neb., this spring, and its first Taco John's will begin serving customers in Liberal, Kan., also in the spring.

Additionally, Love's interstate hotel business continues to expand with 10 more locations slated to open adjacent to Love's stores this year. The company currently operates four hotels.

"Thanks to the ongoing support of our customers, we continue to significantly expand our travel stop network, as well as associated businesses. We look forward to providing them with more options and services in 2016 and beyond," Love said.

Oklahoma City-based Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores has more than 360 locations in 40 states.