Truck stop giant Love’s celebrates opening first store 60 years ago

Monday marks sixty years in operation for Oklahoma-based truck stop giant Love’s Travel Stops.

On January 8, 2024, Love’s celebrated the opening of the company’s first store in Watonga, Oklahoma, in 1964.

Love’s says that they are proud to be the only major travel stop chain that remains family-owned and operated.

Today, Love’s operates 637 locations in 42 states and employs 40,000 workers in North America and Europe.

From the Love family:

“That year, Tom and Judy Love were looking for a way to support their growing family. So, they leased a filling station in Watonga and with Tom’s boots-on-the ground, community and people-focused mentality he kept his entire career, that one store led to a nationally recognized brand. While a lot has changed in six decades, the heart of Love’s has not, and it’s now alive in four generations of our family. We are so grateful for our incredible team members – past and present – whose contributions play a role in shaping our company. Growth and innovation of our product offerings, living our core values and culture daily, and dedication to clean places, friendly faces are what this company was started on in 1964. Today, we proudly stand on that foundation and know our best is still ahead of us.”

“Tom Love said it best, ‘yesterday’s trophies don’t win tomorrow’s games,’ and even after six decades we still live by that motto, constantly innovating and improving,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s. “The secret formula behind the company’s success is our employees and how they model the core values Love’s was built on and sustain a legacy of driving for excellence.”