Pilot Flying J Enters At-Home Coffee Market
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, sells more than 130,000 cups per day of what it's dubbed the “Best Coffee on the Interstate.” Now, to build upon its successful coffee offering, the retailer is selling take-home bags and single-serve packs of its Pilot House coffee blend.
“Our customers are hard workers — professional drivers, commuters and busy families who are on the go. With our coffee selection, we provide them with quality, variety and convenience that can now be enjoyed at home in addition to being enjoyed on the road and at our stores,” said Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam.
As of Nov. 1, Pilot House coffee is available for purchase in take-home bags and single-serve packs at all Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J Travel Plazas nationwide. The price is $5.99 for either a 10-ounce bag or eight-pack of single-serve coffee cups, which are compatible with most Keurig machines.
“Coffee brewing in America is trending toward a single-brewing method, so offering single-serve packs is essential,” noted Whitman Harson, senior category manager of hot beverages for Pilot Flying J. “However, the majority of households still use a drip coffeemaker, so it was just as important that we feature take-home bags. Our priority always is to provide convenience and value to all of our customers.”
The launch of these home-brewing options complements several other recent coffee initiatives by Knoxville-based Pilot Flying J. The chain is currently featuring its seasonal favorite, Pumpkin Spice coffee and cappuccino, and added its first single-origin blend — Brazilian Blend — to its year-round offerings in October. This fall, Pilot Flying J also unveiled new company logos and branding, with the updated look extending to its coffee cups.
“The new look is bold,” Harson said. “It’s exciting, and I think that reflects how our team is feeling across the board about our new coffee offerings. We hope and expect that our customers will be just as happy.”
More information about Pilot Flying J coffee can be found at www.pilotflyingj.com/coffee.
Pilot Flying J has more than 650 retail locations and is ranked No. 7 on Forbes’ list of America’s largest private companies.