Corporatization
The economics of truck stops have driven most of the small, post-war operations out of business and they have been replaced with large corporate chains or franchises. Truck drivers are a captive market, because the trucks' size and local regulations place severe restrictions on where a truck driver can park. The initial investment in land, permits, equipment and maintenance requirements are large and growing: accordingly, some large truck stop chains have begun to cater to a wider range of the traveling public by combining trucks stops and traditional gas stations. Pilot Flying J is currently the largest such chain with more than 550 locations (almost all of which are corporate-owned-and-operated), while Roady's Truck Stops are the largest franchised chain with more than 350 locations.
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