TravelCenters Sees Lots of Opportunity in Tire Sales
WESTLAKE, Ohio — TravelCenters of America LLC's strategy to grow the company has centered on increased offerings and services. Falling in line with these efforts is the company's latest activity in the commercial tire space.
As CEO Thomas O'Brien explained during the company's third-quarter earnings call on Nov. 8, TravelCenters has expanded the number of tire brands and tiers it can offer customers through the newly formed the TA Truck Service Commercial Tire Network.
The company debuted the new service on Nov. 4 in Las Vegas.
"We've also expanded the way in which we may sell tires which we believe is not only one of the keys to our existing plans to continue growth particularly in our RoadSquad on-site business, but has opened up potential opportunities not previously available to us," O'Brien said.
The TA Truck Service network includes 243 truck service facilities, 1,079 repair bays, nearly 3,000 technicians, more than 1,600 RoadSquad Connect emergency roadside assistance vehicles and a growing fleet of OnSITE mobile maintenance vehicles.
As a commercial tire dealer of many brands, TravelCenters has removed many of the previous constraints on the methods by which the company can sell tires, he added.
While it's going to take a lot of work over time to appropriately capitalize on some of these new opportunities, we've already assembled a plan and leadership team to begin that process," he said. "I am about as excited for the long-term potential related to the opportunities this may create for TA as I have been for any other strategic undertaking here."
Westlake-based TravelCenters of America operates travel centers in 43 states in the United States and in Canada, standalone convenience stores in 11 states, and standalone restaurants in 15 states.
Its travel centers operate under the TravelCenters of America, TA, Petro Stopping Centers and Petro brand names and offer diesel and gasoline fueling, restaurants, truck repair services, travel/convenience stores and other services that are designed to provide attractive and efficient travel experiences to professional drivers and other motorists.
The company's convenience stores operate principally under the Minit Mart brand name and offer gasoline fueling, as well as nonfuel products and services such as coffee, groceries, fresh food offerings and other convenience items.
Its standalone restaurants operate principally under the Quaker Steak & Lube brand name.