Pilot launches Pilot eats food brand across travel centers

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Travel center operator Pilot Company has introduced Pilot Eats, a new proprietary food brand aimed at expanding freshly prepared meal options across its North American travel centers and strengthening its foodservice offerings for travelers.

The new concept supports Pilot’s strategy of delivering “Food That Goes the Distance,” offering portable, freshly prepared meals designed for drivers on the move. The company also announced that nearly 350 of its owned-and-operated quick-service restaurant franchise locations are now open 24 hours a day, increasing food availability for travelers at any time.

Pilot is launching two complementary in-house food concepts: Pilot Eats and Pilot Eats Express. Pilot Eats will bring the company’s full hot deli menu to around 400 travel centers, featuring items such as a Southern chicken sandwich with a larger crispy fillet, hand-roped pizza with “Mega Cheese” and pepperoni sold by the slice or whole pie, and homestyle deli entrées like meatloaf, roasted chicken, and mac and cheese.

Pilot Eats Express will focus on quicker grab-and-go options at about 200 locations, including artisan pizza, chicken wings and tenders, and snackable sides.

“A meal on the road isn’t just a break, it’s fuel for the next five, ten or few hundred miles,” said Sean Marrero, senior vice president of food and beverage at Pilot. “Pilot eats is about offering drivers food that goes the distance that is as portable as it is premium. We want travelers to know they can count on us to have what they need to keep them fueled up, filled up and lifted up for the road ahead.”

The rollout started this month with the first redesigned stores in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and Ponce de Leon, Florida, with a phased launch planned throughout 2026. New packaging and signage will begin appearing in stores this spring.

Both food concepts will also be integrated into the Pilot Flying J App, allowing customers to browse menus, place mobile orders, and access loyalty rewards.

To promote the launch, Pilot is offering limited meal deals, including a $6 breakfast combo with a breakfast sandwich and hot coffee, and an $8 lunch or dinner option featuring two slices of pizza and a 20-ounce bottle of Pepsi.