Pilot Flying J to Open New Travel Center in North Dakota

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Pilot Flying J has purchased a travel center in Grand Forks, N.D., and plans to remodel the location. The 10,310-square-foot center, located at 4401 S. 32nd Ave. off I-29's Exit 12, is expected to hold a grand opening in January.

Regular drivers and professional truckers will be able to fill their tanks using high-speed fuel pumps at four fuel islands and four diesel islands. Following the grand opening, Pilot Flying J plans to add another four diesel fuel islands and two RV fuel islands by spring 2012, the company said.

"We hope that Grand Forks area residents and fleet customers will enjoy the convenience and amenities of our new Pilot Travel Center," said Jimmy Haslam, president and CEO of Pilot Flying J. "The travel center will serve this community through products and services as well as contribute to the local economy through jobs and tax revenue. And, we'll fill the needs of those carrying goods to communities across the nation."

Additional amenities at the new center include a Subway restaurant; Western Union; fax and copy services; pay phones; ATM accessibility; lottery and Lotto ticket sales; an arcade; and sales of general merchandise and convenience items.

"We believe our familiar Pilot sign will be a welcome sight for interstate travelers and professional drivers. They'll want to pull off to fill up, refresh and sample some of our featured food items like Oscar Mayer hot dogs," said Chuck Robinson, general manager at the Grand Forks location.

Features planned for professional drivers include DEF and biodiesel at the pump; a CAT scale; laundry services; 10 automated showers; 141 parking spaces for trucks; and a driver kiosk. RV drivers will have 24 parking spaces, propane and a dump station.

The Grand Forks Pilot Travel Center will accept the company's Frequent Fueler Advantage card as well as honor points accrued on the Frequent Fueler, RV Real Value Card and Driver Payback cards. Pilot Flying J currently operates more than 550 travel centers and travel plazas in the United States and Canada.