Truck stops require a large number of items to help them not only function, but also be profitable as well. Truck stop locations are one part public restroom, one part fuel station and another part snack stop. Whatever the case may be, the list goes on and on. Truckstop companies need to look to find wholesale locations that can offer them best pricing on supplies and resale items to keep expenses down and profit margins up.

Truck stop chains can take advantage of wholesale pricing on a number of items including restroom and cleaning supplies. Your truck stop company can also find wholesale pricing advantageous when purchasing snack items to entice the impulse purchases. Supplies for truck stops are easy to find, and simple to price compare.

Truck stop companies should make sure that they are covering the following areas:

1. Take advantage of wholesale pricing on restroom supplies including soap and toilet paper items for your truck stops.

2. Think about wholesale candy and snack purchase for truck stops.

3. Find truck stops information on purchasing a fountain pop machine for a great profit margin item.

Action Steps
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Purchase toilet paper wholesale for truck stops

Truck stop chains can purchase their toilet paper and toilet paper dispensers wholesale from a number of online distributors.

I recommend: Find wholesale toilet paper and dispensers from CleanItSupply.com. Purchase wholesale paper products and dispensers from toiletpaperworld.com. ReStockIt.com offers a satisfaction guarantee. Buy bathroom tissue and dispensers from Quill.

Buy wholesale soap and dispensers for truck stop chains

Truck stop chains can also take advantage of wholesale pricing on soap supplies as well.

I recommend: Purchase your soap and bathroom supplies from Uline Shipping Supplies. Consider being environmentally conscious by purchasing from United Green Products. Find restroom soap dispensers from The WEBstaurant Store. Look at the wide variety of restroom products from PlumbingSupply.com.

Target the impulse buyer at your truck stop locations

By looking at your profit margins and truck stops information, you will come to realize that your money isn't in the fuel purchases, but the snack sales and soft drink sales. Buy your candy in bulk or wholesale for the best pricing for your business.

I recommend: Take advantage of wholesale pricing on your candy favorites from MyCandySupplier. Buy wholesale from CandyXpress. Nationwide Candy can help you with your snack and candy needs. You can also purchase a complete soda fountain system from Soda Dispenser Depot.

Think about specialty items to sell out of your truck stop locations

From logo items to items that fill a specific need, target the needs of the long haulers at your truck stop locations.

I recommend: Have travel mugs printed with your logo on them from logotoyou.com. Becoming a dealer for Athena Brands and sell their Max Burton line of portable appliances, such as stoves, thermos cups, vacuums and coffee makers with car adapters. You might also consider adding vehicle fresheners from Concord Enterprises as well. Truckers spend a lot of time in their vehicles, and cabin interiors can start smelling a ripe between rest stops.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing snack items for your truck stop chains, purchase items with a long shelf life for to avoid perishability and lost profits.

Truck stop information is essential for anyone trucking long distances in North America. As general service centers along highways do not always have the facilities needed by truckers, truck stop facilities need to be located before a trip begins.

Truck stop companies often have multiple truck stops across a wide area. These companies will usually list their truck stop networks on the internet. However, there will often be more than one company operating in a given area, so it’s a good idea to check out more than one truck stop chain.

You should keep these points in mind when looking for resources about truck stops. Information resources include:

1. Truck stop chains give good information about their own companies but won’t mention competitors, so you need to look carefully.

2. Make sure a truck stop facility has the services that you will need.

3. Locate multiple truck stops along your route so that you have options.

Action Steps
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Check out lists of truck stop locations to find one in the right location

Truck stop chains maintain lists of their companies' stops online, and there are also independent lists of truck stop locations available.

I recommend: The North American Truck Stop Network, an association of independent truck stops, maintains a list of independent truck stop locations across North America. DieselBoss has a searchable database of over 6,500 fuel stations and truck stops in North America.

Get information from truck stop companies with multiple facilities

The larger truck stop chains have facilities over a wide area of North America, so getting information from them can help you in almost any location.

I recommend: Ambest operates 123 truck stop locations across the US and Canada and offers an alphabetical or by-state listing of truck stops. Flying J has hundreds of locations across North America and offers a search function by state, map location or GPS coordinates. Pacific Pride has more than 1,000 truck fueling sites across North America. You can search by location, your needs and your route.

Read reviews and information about truck stops

Truck stops can have different facilities and can also vary greatly in their quality. By reading comparisons of the different truck stops, you can find a truck stop that will be best for you.

I recommend: Need an all-in-one resource for truck stops? Information can be found in the National Truck Stop Directory, available for purchase online. Layover.com has information for truckers and chat rooms and forums for discussions about all aspects of trucking.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember that the most important decision in choosing truck stops is location. Find truck stops on your route and then choose which ones to use.

Truck stop chains aren't just for long haulers anymore--using truck stops has become a convenience taken advantage of by business travelers as well. Truck stop locations are peppered all across the US, and they offer not only fuel, but food and a number of other amenities as well.

Individual truck stops information can generally be found on each company's website, so if you are seeking out something specific, your best bet is to scope it out before you hit the road or to call ahead. Are you looking for a truck stop companies that offer showers? Do you need a truck stop company that offers diesel? Are you looking for truck stop facilities that can handle tire changes? Whatever your need, you are better off checking ahead of time if the services you need are offered before pulling into the station and finding out that they are not.

To make the most of information on truck stop chains:

1. Look at truck stop locations with showers.

2. Check out truck stop companies that are nationwide for the most convenience.

3. Choose truck stop chains with rewards programs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Go for truck stop locations that offer showers

Stick with truck stops that can offer you a nice hot shower along with your fill up.

I recommend: The North American Truck Stop Network truck stops have showers. Consider becoming a part of their network. They also have VIP frequent refueler programs as well as other member benefits. Truck stops are refocusing to market themselves as "travel plazas" that not only include the much needed shower, but also amenities such as ATMs, high-speed Internet access, self-serve laundry facilities, repair shops, truck washes, truck scales and fueling stations. Learn how Petro Passport Driver Rewards can earn you shower credits. Pilot Travel Centers is the nation's largest operator of travel stops. They service customers in 41 states.

Choose nationwide truck stop chains

Going with truck stop locations that are nationwide lets you more easily use your rewards programs and rack up points faster.

I recommend: Find out where you can find TravelCenters of America locations coast to coast. Their benefit programs are called the TA RoadKing Club, and their two newly introduced levels Chrome Club and Chrome Club Elite. They also offer a wide selection of foods and a top notch service department. Flying J can also be found coast to coast, and they offer five different levels of loyalty cards. You can also check out their gas prices online.

Consider other truck stop chains

There are other fantastic truck stop chains that aren't quite nationwide yet, but might fall along your route and who offer wonderful rewards programs. Often they offer better rewards because they are trying to be more competitive and win your business over the bigger chains.

I recommend: Love's Travel Stops and Country Store can be found in over 30 states in the US, and they offer food and fuel. Use their trip planner to help you find their locations along your route, and use their price calculator to let you know what the daily fuel rate is at their locations. Visit Sapp Bros Travel Centers while traveling across the heart of the Midwest. Register for their rewards program, and earn points on fuel, in-store and truck washing purchases.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When using truck stop chains and various truckstops, keep all of your frequent traveler cards and/or point information in one central location. This will make it easier to pull out each time you stop to refuel or make a purchase.

Whether you are a long haul truck driver or have drivers on staff, it is important to be familiar with the key terms that are associated with truck stops. Truck stops are one stop shops for truck drivers around the country. Drivers can shower, eat, relax and use various services at truck stops. Gain knowledge about the language associated with truck stops by learning key terms.

Action Steps
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Convenience store (C-store)

The convenience store, or C-store) is one of the most important parts of a truck stop. Drivers can purchase food items, drinks and household items all in one place. C-Stores are open to all travelers, but their items are usually geared toward truck drivers' needs.

I recommend: For more information about truck stop C-stores, visit Ameristop Food Mart.

Lounge

A trucker's lounge is a place to rest and relax for drivers. Lounges usually provide tables, chairs, sofas and entertainment centers. Drivers can find trucker's lounges in most truck stops.

I recommend: Gain information about lounges and their various amenities at Gateway Travel.

TriPak

TriPak services offer a quick and easy way for drivers to send documents. Documents are handled by trained truck stop employees, and they are delivered in a fast and appropriate manner. TriPak services are similar to Transflo Express services at a truck stop.

I recommend: To learn more about TriPak, check out the website of JB Hunt Transport Services.

T-Chek

T-Chek is a financial service that is offered at many truck stops. T-Chek is also referred to as T-Chek Systems, and it offers a range of payment, purchase and technology services for truck drivers.

I recommend: Visit T-Chek Systems for information about T-Chek and all of the services that it offers for truck stops, truck drivers and business owners.

Fleet One

Fleet One offers credit cards and services especially for truck drivers and other related businesses and business owners. Fleet One has fuel locations and maintenance locations. Many truck drivers and fleet owners trust Fleet One for their fuel and maintenance needs, and many truck stops accept Fleet One payments.

I recommend: For more information about Fleet One, visit its website.

Certified Scales

Certified scales are important for every truck driver because they offer reliability and accuracy. While most truck stops have scales, they may not be certified scales. Certified scales are the best bet for any truck driver or fleet.

I recommend: CAT Scale offers information about certified scales and why they are important for truck stops.