WESTLAKE, Ohio — TravelCenters of America Inc. has signed franchise agreements with investors in California to open as many as six T/A Express locations in the Golden State this year to complement 13 TA and Petro Stopping Centers open there now.
TA Express sites typically occupy 10.5 acres of land with parking for approximately 75 trucks and 55 cars, a travel store, quick-serve dining areas, multiple fueling positions. The TA Express sites to open in California won't have truck maintenance or tire services on site.
TravelCenters declined to identify the franchisees involved.
The first TA Express in California is being built near Baker, on Interstate 15 near the exit for state route 127, roughly halfway between Barstow, Calif., and the California-Nevada border
TravelCenters said it expects 20 or more franchised TA Express sites to open this year, including five in California, in Bakersfield, Grenada, Newberry Springs, Olancha and Rosemond, Calif.
Others are expected to open in Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.
"TA continues to meet the needs of our professional drivers and families by expanding our network where travelers are traveling, including in locations like Baker, California," TA CEO Jon Pertchik said.
In addition, TA said it is negotiating franchise agreements for more than 20 additional travel centers across the U.S. and has more than 80 other potential franchise agreements in its pipeline.
TA operates in 44 states and Canada, principally under the TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express brands. The company announced plans in May 2020 to expand by franchising.
