Love’s Travel Stops Planning More RV Accommodations – RVBusiness – Breaking RV Industry News
OKLAHOMA CITY – Love’s Travel Stops is heading into 2025 with a strong focus on strategic growth and innovation, aiming to strengthen its position as the premier one-stop-shop for professional truck drivers and four-wheel, RV and EV customers, according to a release.
“As we enter the year, we’re committed to continuing to enhance the customer experience for all,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s. “This year, we’re excited to introduce new and updated locations, innovative food and drinks and continued improvement of the services and amenities we offer. With our continued focus on the evolving needs of customers, we’re confident we’ll provide an even better experience across our network in 2025.”
Love’s will continue to grow and refresh its nationwide network of locations with 70 locations that will be new or updated in 2025. The company plans to start construction of 20 new stores and begin updating 50existing locations under its Strategic Remodel Initiative (SRI). Launched in 2022, the SRI reflects Love’s commitment to maintaining the freshest fleet of locations on the interstate. As part of the SRI, the company will update its turnpike location in Stroud, Oklahoma, the first of the turnpike locations to be remodeled that were acquired in 2023. With new locations and SRI efforts this year, more than half of Love’s 655 locations will be newly constructed or remodeled by 2035.
Love’s is growing its food and drink offerings to make every stop even more inviting. This year, Love’s will continue to expand its Fresh Kitchen program through anew Culinary Innovation Center being led by Greg Ekman, the company’s first director of fresh kitchen strategy and growth. Located in Oklahoma City, the centerwill be used to develop and test food offerings including tacos, salads, sandwiches, snack trays and more. In addition to new fresh food offerings, customers will also see the continued expansion of Love’s branded items including new fresh juice options, candy and flavored popcorn.
Love’s remains one of the largest quick service restaurant operators in the country with 19 concepts that are owned or leased. Between the two, the company will open its 1,000th location this year. Love’s will continue to improve speed of service for customers with the addition of “order ahead” to the Love’s Connect app at several locations, including more than 100 Arby’s. Additionally, all quick service restaurants will continue to use technology to improve customer service. Computer monitors track key performance metrics in real-time including greet times, order processing and the time it takes for food handoff, reducing food delivery by 14 seconds on average last year.
This year, Love’s will continue to add locations and amenities to cater to the needs of RV customers, ensuring a top-tier experience. The company will add 83 hookups to 17 locations, surpassing the 100-location mark. Love’s established network of convenient, safe and dog-friendly locations makes it easy for customers needing somewhere to stay on the way to their destination. Unique to Love’s, customers can use the Love’s Connect app to reserve a space, check-in and turn on utilities.
Love’s will also continue growing its network of EV charging stations through National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) grants. In 2024, the company was awarded $83 million for the construction of chargers in 13 states. This year, construction is expected to start on fast chargers at Love’s locations in eight statesincluding Alabama, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Professional truck drivers will appreciate Love’s ongoing support, featuring new amenities and a commitment to addressing the critical shortage of truck parking in the U.S. In 2025, the company plans to add approximately 1,000 new truck parking spaces to its network, surpassing 50,000 spaces across the country. Love’s will provide additional support to drivers by adding 12 maintenance bays and six emergency roadside vehicles.
Finally, Love’s knows providing the best experience possible starts with hiring and retaining top talent. The company will increase veteran hiring by 10% in 2025 and launch a hiring program for military spouses. Love’s prides itself in offering growth opportunities for all team members, including its recently launched Fuel Your Growth with Love’s program through Guild, which offers free education opportunities ranging from GEDs to advanced degrees.
