KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Pilot Flying J has teamed up with renowned chef and restaurant owner Tim Love. Love will create new signature food items that will be available at all Pilot Flying J U.S. locations with the goal of providing fresh, convenient food options for interstate travelers. Known for his signature Urban Western cuisine, Love will also develop food items specifically for Pilot Flying J’s Southwest region locations, focusing on the flavors and specialties that represent the region’s fare.
This collaboration between a chef of Love’s caliber and a major travel center network marks the first of its kind, signifying a shift toward providing more diverse and notable food offerings for customers traveling on the interstate. “I am thrilled to be partnering with Pilot Flying J,” Love said. “They truly want to provide a better food experience for their guests. Our mission will be to create nutritious options that are easy to carry and easy to eat—that criteria tends to be top of mind for most travelers, but hard to come by on the road.”
Pilot Flying J’s key focus in food and beverage includes innovating fresh, made-to-order items, establishing a strong culinary presence, and providing fresh quality offerings to those on the road. “Offering our guests a variety of fresh, quality food options is a top priority for us at Pilot Flying J,” said Whitney Haslam Johnson, chief experience officer for the company.
Love will be working closely with Shannon Johnson, vice president of food innovation at Pilot Flying J, to continue to develop the PJ Fresh Marketplace brand. The new working relationship aligns both Love and Shannon Johnson underneath the same purpose, which is the belief that travelers and professional drivers deserve better food options and more variety while on the open road.
“When I first met Tim, I could tell he was just as excited to up the food game in this space as I am,” said Shannon Johnson. “It’s important to me that we implement new items for our guests that are surprising, delicious and keep them coming back.”
The company's proprietary PJ Fresh concept is based on the fast-casual restaurant idea of delivering fresh-made food to consumers and offering a wide variety of delicious food options, ranging from healthy green salads and fruit bowls to freshly made sandwiches and dinners.