Pilot Travel Centers Brings Denny's to the Table
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Pilot Travel Centers LLC, operator of nearly 300 travel centers throughout the United States, has formed a partnership with Denny's Corp. to develop Denny's restaurants within Pilot's facilities, according to a news release.
This venture represents a partnership between two major players within their respective industries -- Denny's is the largest full-service family restaurant chain and Pilot is the largest operator of travel centers, the companies stated.
"Developing restaurants along our nation's highways has always been an important part of Denny's heritage," Nelson Marchioli, Denny's president and CEO, said in a statement. "We are particularly pleased to establish a partnership of this magnitude because of Pilot Travel Centers' extensive national presence. Denny's customers, many of whom are highway travelers, will now have the opportunity to enjoy good food at a great value 24/7, while fulfilling all of their travel needs in one convenient location."
The first Pilot location to feature a Denny's restaurant is currently under construction in Mount Vernon, Ill. It will feature a new prototype design with square footage and seating similar to a typical Denny's standalone building, the company said. Additional Denny's within Pilot centers will be developed early in 2008, according to the company.
"Our customers have requested more full-service restaurants, and we are pleased to respond through our partnership with Denny's," Mark Hazelwood, executive vice president of sales and development for Pilot, said in a statement. "We plan to add 20 to 25 new travel centers per year, and for the full-service locations, Denny's is a good fit for that growth plan. We believe this partnership is a win-win-win for Pilot Travel Centers, Denny's and our customers."
This venture represents a partnership between two major players within their respective industries -- Denny's is the largest full-service family restaurant chain and Pilot is the largest operator of travel centers, the companies stated.
"Developing restaurants along our nation's highways has always been an important part of Denny's heritage," Nelson Marchioli, Denny's president and CEO, said in a statement. "We are particularly pleased to establish a partnership of this magnitude because of Pilot Travel Centers' extensive national presence. Denny's customers, many of whom are highway travelers, will now have the opportunity to enjoy good food at a great value 24/7, while fulfilling all of their travel needs in one convenient location."
The first Pilot location to feature a Denny's restaurant is currently under construction in Mount Vernon, Ill. It will feature a new prototype design with square footage and seating similar to a typical Denny's standalone building, the company said. Additional Denny's within Pilot centers will be developed early in 2008, according to the company.
"Our customers have requested more full-service restaurants, and we are pleased to respond through our partnership with Denny's," Mark Hazelwood, executive vice president of sales and development for Pilot, said in a statement. "We plan to add 20 to 25 new travel centers per year, and for the full-service locations, Denny's is a good fit for that growth plan. We believe this partnership is a win-win-win for Pilot Travel Centers, Denny's and our customers."