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09-03-2026 by NATSO Foundation Fast and Fresh Food Travel Center Offerings Considerations

Truck stops and travel centers typically have multiple food offerings under one roof and create a mix of grab-and-go, built-to-order and quick service options that can appeal to customers who are on the go. Creating the right combination allows operators to meet a wide range of customer needs and ensures there is something for everyone.

Grab-and-go, built-to-order and quick service models each offer distinct approaches to serving food and different roles to play in meeting customers’ demands.
09-03-2026
08-24-2026 by Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman NATSO Foundation Releases Travel Center Foodservice Trends Toolkit

The NATSO Foundation created a toolkit in collaboration with the NATSO Foundation’s 2026 Food and Beverage Steering Council to provide industry insights into successful food operations and best practices and serve as an inspiration as operations look for their next great idea in food service.

“Drivers and travelers are looking for food options that are fast, convenient, consistent and worth stopping for,” said Amy Toner, executive director of the NATSO Foundation. “This toolkit helps operators evaluate their foodservice programs through the customer’s eyes and identify opportunities to strengthen the overall travel center experience through food.”
08-24-2026
07-01-2026 by NATSO Foundation Six Travel Center Considerations for Partnering with a QSR

Foodservice is now one of the most important differentiators for travel centers and truck stops, and the right food offerings can create a competitive advantage. The ideal mix of food service offerings often includes a combination of proprietary and branded programs, but what should travel centers consider when partnering with a QSR? “We’re a house of brands, so we want to have multiple offerings to appeal to everyone,” Chris Heinz, director of operations and finance at Heinz Inc. said.
07-01-2026
06-25-2026 by Amy Toner The NATSO Foundation Seeks Vendors for 2027 Food and Beverage Steering Council

Food is a critical part of truck stops and travel centers’ offerings, and it continually helps locations stand out from the competition. The NATSO Foundation’s 2027 Food and Beverage Steering Council is bringing together experts to share their insights and knowledge to help steer the industry in this important profit center.

“QSRs, beverage companies, wholesale supply chains—these companies all have a wealth of knowledge to guide travel center operators on their food offerings,” said Amy Toner, executive director of the NATSO Foundation. “The NATSO Foundation Food and Beverage Steering Council ensures travel centers remain relevant amidst evolving consumer food, buying, and travel habits.”
06-25-2026
04-14-2026 by Mindy Long How to Innovate in Food Service: Lessons from Travel Centers

Innovation in food service isn’t just about trendy new menu items. For truck stop and travel center operators, food service innovation can help draw in customers, reduce friction and improve margins while also ensuring locations deliver food that people actually crave.

During the NATSO Connect Food Focus Forum at NATSO Connect 2026, three industry leaders shared practical ways to think about and execute innovation.
04-14-2026
08-06-2025 by NATSO Foundation Travel Center Trend: Offering Food Faster

For Class 8 truck drivers, hours-of-service regulations and electronic logging devices strictly dictate how they must spend their time. Finding new ways to shorten the distance between drivers at the fuel island and fresh food continues to trend in the travel center industry.

Darren Schulte, NATSO’s vice president, membership, said now is the ideal time for operators to focus on food. “We are going through a food offering revolution in travel centers. This is one of the most exciting times to be in the food space in travel centers,” he said.

Bringing food closer to the driver, strengthening grab-and-go food offerings and finding new ways to speed drivers through a location can increase convenience, boost sales and make a location a preferred stop.  
08-06-2025
06-23-2025 by Amy Toner The NATSO Foundation Seeks Applications for Newly Created Food and Beverage Steering Council

Food is a critical part of truck stops and travel centers’ offerings, and it continually helps locations stand out from the competition. The NATSO Foundation’s new Food and Beverage Steering Council is bringing together experts to share their insights and knowledge to help steer the industry in this important profit center.

“QSRs, beverage companies, wholesale supply chains—these companies all have a wealth of knowledge to guide travel center operators on their food offerings,” said Amy Toner, executive director of the NATSO Foundation. “We’ve formed the NATSO Foundation Food and Beverage Steering Council to ensure travel centers remain relevant amidst evolving consumer food, buying, and travel habits.”
06-23-2025

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