What) Pilot Flying J is a chain of truck stops in the United States and Canada. The company is based in Knoxville, Tennessee where Pilot Corporation, the majority owner, is based. The company is owned by Pilot, FJ Management Inc., and CVC Capital Partners. The company operates truck stops under the Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J brands. In July 2009, Pilot agreed to purchase Flying J's travel centers, as a part of Flying J's efforts to remove itself from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The deal was finalized July 1, 2010, and the combined company took the name Pilot Flying J. (1)
Where) 8200
Northwest Boulevard, just off I-80 at Exit 292.
Why) It does not take a novelist to imagine that I have been enamoured with the Flying J ever since I first saw one back in the 1990's. Every so often, I make point of stopping in to purchase one of their travel mugs for my personal use. I also have the annoying (to Pam) habit of exclaiming, “Flying J” whenever we drive past one of their highway signs. Fortunately (for both of us) I don't make us stop at every one.