Dive Brief:
- Pilot has opened its largest new build to date in Stanton, Tennessee, Vice President of Operations Jim Rose confirmed via email.
- The store was “inspired by Pilot's new brand standards and will serve as a blueprint for store designs in the future,” Rose added. Pilot didn’t share further details of how this design will be used, but said more information will come soon.
- Pilot joins a series of c-store companies — including 7-Eleven, Rutter’s, Yatco and On the Fly — that are testing new store designs and prototypes.
Dive Insight:
Pilot has been retooling its store formats over the past few years. Nearly three years ago, it launched its $1 billion “New Horizons” store remodeling program. Now, it’s exploring a larger store model that could help it boost sales and draw in more customers.
The Stanton store, which opened in December, stands at 20,000 square feet, according to a LinkedIn post from Rose. The location offers Cinnabon and Subway outlets, along with a variety of hot foods. For professional drivers, the store offers diesel lanes, truck parking, showers, laundry and a driver’s lounge.
Pilot continues to work through its New Horizons remodeling program. The program is ultimately expected to update about 400 of Pilot’s stores in a multitude of ways, from adding energy-efficient lighting in the forecourt to expanding dining areas and upgrading break rooms. The updates, which fell behind schedule due to the pandemic and other factors, vary by market and by store needs.
Pilot, a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, currently has nearly 900 locations in 44 states and six Canadian provinces.
