KNOXVILLE, Tenn., June 20, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Millions of Americans hit the road over the summer, but before they can enjoy beaches and bonfires, parents are bracing themselves for the No. 1 source of stress on family road trips:* where to stop to eat. In honor of one of the top summer travel weeks over the July 4 holiday, Pilot Flying J, the largest network of travel centers in North America, rounded up surprising popular food and beverage items by state.

To see how travelers' tastes differ across the U.S., Pilot Flying J analyzed the top 20 most popular food and beverage items from its 2017 sales data by state and identified interesting best sellers. Here are a few states' favorite flavors:

• People love Pilot Coffee – it ranked among the top five food and beverage sellers in every state
• 37 states are going bananas for bananas –Florida, Texas, Georgia and Indiana each sold over 300,000 in the last year
• States' favorite PJ Fresh pizza flavor? Pepperoni, which made the top 20 list in 36 states
• Minnesotans love their egg rolls – they bought more than any other state
• Sides rule in Massachusetts – favorite PJ Fresh sides are green beans, corn, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese
• Hot dogs are a top pick in six states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Maryland and West Virginia

"It's clear our guests have diverse tastes across the country," said Whitney Haslam Johnson, chief experience officer for Pilot Flying J. "As a mother of three, I understand the need for variety and choice, especially on the road. Fortunately for summer travelers, Pilot Flying J's large assortment of food and beverage offerings provide solutions for their road trip cravings, no matter what their tastes."

Along with restaurant franchises in many travel centers, Pilot Flying J also offers PJ Fresh Marketplace, a fast casual dining experience that delivers high-quality, on-the-go food options that are made in-house daily for guests – from salads and fruit bowls, to freshly-made sandwiches and PJ Fresh Pizza, hand-crafted with 100 percent real mozzarella cheese and a variety of toppings.

From June-August, Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers are featuring a "bonus bundle" for summer travelers: Purchase any fresh food item and get a large fountain drink for $1 or a slice of PJ Fresh Pizza for $2. Guests can save all year at Pilot and Flying J locations with valuable weekly deals on food and beverages through myOffers® in the myPilot^® app.

To learn more visit www.pilotflyingj.com or download the myPilot mobile app.

*According to a road trip survey by Zeno Research & Insights; July 2017

About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, is committed to connecting people and places with comfort, care and a smile at every stop. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, Pilot Flying J has more than 750 retail locations in 44 states, Roadside assistance available at over 145 locations nationwide and growing as part of its Truck Care program, 44 Goodyear Commercial Tire and Service Centers, and 34 Boss Shops. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 72,000 parking spaces for trucks with Prime Parking at more than 400 locations, 5,200 deluxe showers and more than 6,200 diesel lanes with 5,200 offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at the pump. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 15 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com/ for more information.

SOURCE Pilot Flying J

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