Editor's note: Darren Schulte, NATSO vice president of membership, frequently visits NATSO members to review their locations and offers impactful merchandising and operations improvements. Contact Schulte at dschulte@natso.com or (915) 526-5820 to learn more about the costs and details of this service.
At Baker Travel Plaza, located in Baker, California, you can find racing-grade fuel, a water cave and a wide variety of foods, and the unique offerings make the location stand out.
In addition to having the typical fuel offerings, Baker Travel Plaza has 101 octane, the highest octane rating of any street legal fuel on the market, which you don’t always find at a truckstop or travel plaza.
Baker Travel Plaza has proven that you can have multiple food programs in your store because they each appeal to different customer groups. As part of their quick-service offerings, they have Subway, Yogurtland, Fatburger, Buffalo’s, KFC Express and Pizza Hut.
Bottled water can be a top seller among cooler items, and Baker Travel Plaza has taken traditional water displays a step further with its water cave. It is like a beer cave but is full of different types of water.
The location also has a nice coffee area, fountain drinks and traditional store offerings. It is a gorgeous travel plaza both outside and inside that is well lit and clean. Their signage is beautiful and you know what they have and where to find it.
They are highlighting the things they do differently, which can make it a destination for travelers and locals alike.
/// Did you know most weeks you can find me visiting a NATSO member truckstop location, spending three to four days, using my merchandising and operations expertise to help them grow their business? I periodically share about those great retailers I visit here on the blog. Read more Truckstop Travels here.
Photo Credit: Darren Schulte/NATSO
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