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.
Locals as well as hungry drivers can find a delicious meal at The Tennessean Truck Stop in Cornersville, Tennessee, and if you won’t take my word for it, just check out their Google Reviews. More than 200 customers have taken the time to comment on the location, and most of them mention the delicious BBQ, cozy restaurant and great service.
“Loved it. Very good food, sweet tea and cornbread. Will definitely stop here again, and again, every time I pass through,” one reviewer wrote. Another said, “The best place to get burgers and pizza, not to mention a great catfish buffet on a Friday night. The staff is friendly also. This restaurant really describes southern hospitality.”
Many truckstops and travel plazas have seen a decrease in sales at their full-service restaurants, but The Tennessean is bucking the trend and is attracting sit-down customers. The restaurant offers heavy comfort food and Southern favorites. It is one of the largest profit providers at the location.
The location has also created a robust grab-and-go offering, and they use the restaurant to make a lot of meals for the hot food areas.
They’re not frightened about cannibalization because they’ve done a good job understanding there are different types of customers.
They offer a Pet Park for travelers with four-legged friends and have a wide-array of products, including high-end rocking chairs and fireworks.
One of my favorite things was a six-foot-tall box of fireworks for $399.99. Every little kid that came in, and many big kids, too, were impressed by the box.
They change up their merchandise regularly, which is a great way to surprise customers. If customers see the same stuff over and over and over, it becomes furniture. Between its fun merchandise and great food, The Tennessean has found a formula for success.
/// 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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