TravelCenters of America focuses on franchising for network expansion

The U.S. network has opened a new TA Express in Mr. Vernon in Texas.

TravelCenters of America Inc., nationwide operator of the TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express travel center brands, is accelerating its network expansion strategy by actively pursuing franchising opportunities for business growth. They also announced a new TA Express franchise opening in Mt. Vernon, Texas.

"We believe there are significant opportunities for continued growth through franchising and in early 2020, we began rapidly increasing our engagement efforts and broadening our reach with potential franchisees,” said Jon Pertchik, CEO of TA. “We have a team dedicated to identifying and actively pursuing excellent franchisees who are committed to providing our customers with the services and amenities they’ve come to trust and rely on at our travel centers.”

Since the beginning of 2019, TA has signed 18 new franchise agreements under one of TA’s travel center brands. Four opened in 2019 and in the first half of 2020, eight new franchise sites are open or anticipated to open in states such as Texas, Utah and Georgia.

TA expects another six to open by the end of the first quarter of 2021. In addition, TA is currently negotiating franchise agreements for 13 travel centers across states in the western and southern U.S. The company is also engaged in later stages of discussions with operators of another six locations, and has more than 80 other potential franchisees in the pipeline across states including California, Texas, Nevada and Missouri.