A popular truck stop in Knoxville has shut its doors temporarily for enhancements and updates to its infrastructure. The Pilot Travel Center situated at 314 Lovell Road in Knoxville, Tennessee, ceased operations for renovations starting from January 22.

Reports from Knox News indicate that the truck stop is slated to resume operations in spring 2024. Meanwhile, another Pilot Travel Center on Watt Road in Knoxville will undergo similar renovations but will continue serving customers during the process.

The closure of the Lovell Road location is a component of Pilot’s ambitious New Horizons initiative, which involves investing $1 billion to refurbish 400 stores across the United States within a span of three years.

Detailed below are the anticipated improvements for Pilot facilities as part of the New Horizons project:

  • Store exteriors and interiors: Top to bottom overhauls from the curb to the counter, including more energy-efficient lighting for well-lit parking lots, improved fueling experience, updated branding, refaced walls and store features with industrial style accents to create a welcoming environment that leaves a lasting impression.
  • Restrooms, showers and laundry: Adding more and remodeling existing facilities with modern, energy efficient fixtures – including touchless where possible – new tile, fresh paint and brighter lighting.
  • Seating and lounges: Expanding spaces for guests to relax with comfortable furnishings and additional dining areas.
  • Retail, food and beverage: Redesigned store layouts will increase variety and bring more of Pilot’s signature fresh deli items, including pizza, homestyle meals, grab-and-go foods, and premium coffee to more locations, all in an easy-to-shop atmosphere.
  • New technology: Installing state-of-the-art retail and fueling technology, including adding self-checkouts, to increase efficiency and enable team members to further personalize the guest experience.
  • Improved team member areas: Upgrading, reconfiguring and expanding breakrooms and workspaces, including installing new kitchen equipment and back-office solutions, to make team members’ jobs easier and able to focus more on providing great service.
  • Future innovations: Equipping our stores with fueling alternatives, including electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and developing a strategy to support low emission and zero emission vehicles.