Pilot Flying J Unveils Renovated Restrooms Just In Time For Start Of Summer Driving Season

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., May 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The decision-making process all travelers face when they reach the end of an interstate exit ramp just got a lot easier. Instead of deciding to turn left or right, just look for a Pilot or Flying J location because there might be Italian tile, state-of-the-art LED lighting, low water consumption toilets and eco-friendly hand dryers waiting in a newly renovated restroom. This is all part of a $50 million investment Pilot Flying J has made in upgrading the restrooms at more than 680 locations across North America.

"When traveling long distances, we understand it's the little things that matter most," said Ken Parent, chief operating officer for Pilot Flying J. "We see more than 1.4 million guests in our travel centers every day and the majority of them visit the restroom as well as enjoy our food offerings, cold drinks and more. We aim to make their restroom experience as clean and comfortable as possible and are committed to taking care of every customer. This renovation – unlike anything else on the interstate – is one way to achieve that."

Many of the high-traffic Pilot Flying J locations have experienced the first bathroom renovations. That means travelers stopping in places like Milford, Connecticut, Morris, Illinois, Dallas, Texas, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Lodi, California and more can count on a more luxurious and clean restroom experience. The renovations will continue each year until all of the Pilot Travel Center and Flying J Travel Plaza restrooms are upgraded.

Pilot Flying J Restrooms by the Numbers:

• Approximately 1,120,000 number of flushes per day (during 100 days of summer, based on 1.4 million summer guests daily across the Pilot Flying J network)
• 220 new hand dryers installed, helping to dry approximately 11,200,000 fingers daily
• 110 restrooms remodeled in North America to date
• Italian tile comes from Sassuolo, Italy – a city known for its ceramic tiles. These tiles can be found in luxury hotel chains, but look for these tiles as accents on the vanity walls.

In addition to the restrooms, Pilot Flying J has also upgraded the showers at its travel centers. The showers are open to any guest, but are most often used by professional drivers. The shower upgrade is almost complete and has received positive reviews from professional drivers coast-to-coast. Pilot Flying J spent $50 million on the shower renovations over the past three years.

"We strive to make the shower experience as comfortable as possible for all our guests when traveling, especially the professional drivers who are often away from home for several days at a time," said Parent. "For these drivers, our showers are a welcome and needed place for them to refresh, relax and recharge after long hours on the road. Taking good care of professional drivers as well as our customers is part of our DNA and that will never change."

About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America, is committed to making life better for professional drivers. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot Flying J has more than 680 retail locations. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 65,000 parking spaces for trucks, 4,400 showers and 4,000 diesel lanes, with more than 4,100 offering Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) at the pump. Pilot Flying J subsidiary Pilot Logistics Services is one of the fastest growing independent energy logistics companies in North America. Together, Pilot Flying J and Pilot Logistic Services employ more than 24,000 people. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes' list of America's Largest Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.

SOURCE Pilot Flying J

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