Truck stop centers are usually located near highways.
They offer rest, parking, restaurant, diesel and gasoline services.
Their core customer base are truck drivers, travelers and
local community. The commercial facility provides dinner has fuel pumps,
parking and garage services. Usually located by a highway the offer essential
services to travelers.
Franchising
You have three options to start from scratch, buy an
existing truck shop or franchising. Franchising is capital intensive and you
need to investigate the opportunity. A franchise will provide support,
training, logistics and branding.
To buy an existing center make sure you study their
financial statement and customer base. Find out why they want to sell and any
liabilities. Starting from scratch requires a business plan, funding,
feasibility study, operation license, site evaluation and structures.
Startup
Options
• Start from
scratch
• Buy an
existing truck shop
• Franchising
Write
a Business Plan
Write a truck stop business plan and carry out a
feasibility study. Study your competition business strategy, prices and
services. The plan should cover revenue, expenses, funding and salaries.
Startup expenses includes licensing, securing a line of credit.
Learn
the Trade
The business faces lots of competition from established
brands. Learn the trade from owners of truck stops outside your operational
area. Other ways include hiring a consultant, use online resources, read books
and attend seminars.
Services
The truck stop offers essential services that are tailor
made for truck drivers and travelers. Government regulations provides provisions
for truckers to rest/sleep at truck stops.
The stop might provide auxiliary power units, air
conditioning, communication facilities, load board monitors and internet
connectivity. Services include diner restaurant, convenient store and parking.
Others are fuel station services, fast food, car wash,
full service and maintenance of trucks. They have retail stores that sell
unique items like maps, toaster ovens, truck accessories, audio books A large truck stop could accommodate small independent businesses.
Truck
Stop Services
• Truckers
to rest stops
• provide
auxiliary power units
• Air
conditioning
• Communication
facilities
• load board
monitors
• Internet
connectivity
• Diner
restaurant
• Convenient
store
• parking
• Fuel
station services
• Fast food
• Car wash
• Full
service and maintenance of trucks
• Retail
stores
• accommodate
small independent businesses
Funding
The business is capital intensive and requires at least
$2 million. The funds are used to equip gasoline, diesel facility and construct
building. Other uses are restaurant equipment, store equipment, contingency,
fixed assets, inventory and working capital.
License
Register the business as a limited liability company or
partnership. Secure an operational license, insurance and tax identification
number.
Expenditure
The expenditure are land costs, restaurant equipment and
miscellaneous. Others are highway improvements, store equipment and building.
Estimated average site is 6,000 square ft. More expenditure are gas facility,
diesel facility and land development.
Company
Ownership
The company is registered as a limited liability or
partnership enterprise.
Location
The site location should be near a busy highway. Site
considerations include good road network, accessibility, low residential area
and excellent demography. The entrepreneur should consider expansion,
availability of utilities and high traffic area.
Truck
Stop Site Requirements
• Near a
busy highway
• Good road
network
• Easy
accessibility
• Low
residential area
• Excellent
demography
• Room for
expansion
• Availability
of utilities
• High
traffic area.
Marketing
All the marketing is on-site in print. Print signboards
for the convenient store, restaurant, and gasoline station. Use billboards,
branding, discounts and promotions to attract patronage.
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