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Pilot runs truck stops and travel centers where drivers fuel up, eat, shower, and rest.
Pilot is a huge chain of truck stops and travel centers along America's highways. If you drive a big rig for a living, or you're on a long road trip with the family, Pilot is the place you pull off the interstate to fill the tank, grab a coffee, use a clean bathroom, and maybe take a hot shower. The company runs two main brands: Pilot, aimed at professional truck drivers, and Flying J, which leans a bit more toward families and general travelers, with restaurants and larger lots.
The business makes money in a few simple ways. Most of the cash comes from selling diesel and gasoline to truckers and motorists, but fuel is a low-margin game — the pennies per gallon are thin. The real profit engine is the stuff inside the store: snacks, drinks, hot food, and the services truckers need, like showers, parking, and truck maintenance. A trucker who stops for fuel might also buy a meal, a shower, and a few snacks, and those small purchases add up across millions of stops. Customers choose Pilot because it's everywhere, open around the clock, and built for the specific needs of people who live on the road. Pilot is privately held, but it's not a small family operation anymore. Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway bought a big stake in 2017 and later took majority control in 2023, so Warren Buffett's conglomerate now owns most of the company. The founding Haslam family still holds a minority piece. This matters because Berkshire's backing gives Pilot deep pockets to expand and renovate locations across the country.
The truck stop business is competitive and tied closely to the health of freight shipping. Rivals like Love's and TravelCenters of America (now owned by bp BP) fight for the same drivers. When freight is busy, trucks are on the road and Pilot benefits. When shipping slows, fewer trucks roll and fuel volumes dip. The company has also been pushing into electric vehicle charging and newer store formats as the travel landscape shifts, betting that road travelers will still need a place to stop — even if what they put in the tank changes.
Saved answer · last researched 15 Nov 2026