TravelCenters debuts new ‘Fork & Compass’ restaurant concept
- TravelCenters of America (TA) has debuted its new proprietary restaurant.
- The “Fork & Compass” restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
- BP earlier in February announced it would acquire TA for $1.3 billion.
TravelCenters of America (TA) unveiled its new in-house restaurant concept this month, as part of its renewed focus on restaurants.
The new restaurant, called “Fork & Compass,” had a formal opening on Feb. 22, according to a release. The restaurant, located at the Petro Stopping Center in Perrysburg, Ohio, opened to diners in January. TA says the restaurant is designed to be a destination spot for professional drivers, motorists and community residents. It’s open seven days a week and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, the release said.
Fork & Compass has various seating options, including tables, booths and counter service, and most seats have electrical outlets so travelers can plug their devices in while they eat. The restaurant serves items like mac and cheese, and it also includes healthy food items recommended by the Cleveland Clinic. TA and Cleveland Clinic last year announced a partnership to support drivers’ health and well-being.
As Retail Leader reported earlier this month, BP entered an agreement to purchase TA for $1.3 billion. The move would give BP an expanded role in the U.S. on-highway gas station and c-store markets, as TA operates and franchises the TA, Petro Stopping Centers and the TA Express travel centers brands.
The purchase, which TA said came unsolicited, follows the c-store and gas station’s turnaround efforts, which resulted in several quarters of improved performance for the chain. The new restaurant was first teased in the company’s third-quarter earnings call last year when TA CEO Jon Pertchik said the c-store would launch a new proprietary restaurant brand and add more IHOP locations.
TA closed about 90% of its restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it has since reopened 80% of them, according to the November 2022 call. TA offers numerous restaurant concepts across its portfolio of over 280 locations across 44 states. These include Country Pride, Iron Skillet, “R” Place, Johnson’s Corner, Black Bear Diner, Bob Evans, Boston Market, IHOP and Fuddruckers. Its locations also have a mix of 19 fast-food restaurants, including Starbucks, Burger King, Subway, Wendy’s and Taco Bell.