Pilot Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Petroleum, Convenience stores, Truck stops |
| Founded | November 20, 1958 in Weber City, Virginia, United States |
| Founder | James Haslam Jr. |
| Headquarters | Knoxville , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Fuel, Convenience store goods, Travel center services |
| Owner | Berkshire Hathaway (majority owner since 2023) |
| Parent | Berkshire Hathaway (majority owner since 2023) |
| Website | pilotcompany |
Pilot Company (commonly known as Pilot) is a United States-based petroleum enterprise with its main office located in Knoxville, Tennessee. Within Tennessee, Pilot manages the Pilot Food Mart convenience stores. Until 2024, Pilot held joint ownership of Pilot Flying J, recognized as the largest truck stop network across the country, before divesting its remaining shares to Berkshire Hathaway.
History
The origins of Pilot Company trace back to James Haslam Jr., who launched the business in Weber City, Virginia by acquiring a gas station and commencing operations on November 20, 1958. By 1965, the company had expanded to 12 fuel stations, distributing approximately 5 million gallons annually. The initial convenience store was established in 1976, with additional locations subsequently transitioning into convenience store formats.
In 1981, Pilot constructed its inaugural travel center, marking a strategic shift toward this sector. Nationwide growth intensified beginning in 1988, coinciding with the introduction of fast food outlets inside travel centers. On September 1, 2001, Pilot partnered with Marathon Petroleum Company to establish Pilot Travel Centers, LLC. Later, on July 1, 2010, Pilot combined its travel center operations with Flying J, resulting in the formation of Pilot Flying J while preserving both brands independently.
Berkshire Hathaway acquired a substantial interest in Pilot in 2017 and assumed majority ownership by January 2023.
Investigation of price gouging
On September 14, 2008, subpoenas were issued by Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum to Pilot amid inquiries into potential price gouging following Hurricane Ike.
NASCAR sponsorship
Pilot initially participated in NASCAR sponsorship in 1998 by supporting Gary Bradberry and Triad Motorsports but discontinued this involvement in 1999. After merging with Flying J, the company resumed NASCAR sponsorship in 2011 as the primary backer for Michael Annett of Rusty Wallace Racing in the Nationwide Series. This partnership continued when Annett joined Richard Petty Motorsports in 2012.
In 2014, Pilot Flying J returned to the Sprint Cup Series by sponsoring Annett's No. 7 Chevrolet for Tommy Baldwin Racing. The sponsorship extended with Annett’s move to HScott Motorsports in 2016 and later to JR Motorsports within the Xfinity Series in 2017.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Gas station chains in the United States
- Privately owned Tennessee companies
- Businesses headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee
- American enterprises founded in 1958
- Retail businesses established in 1958
- Restaurant chains founded in 1958
- 1958 establishments in Virginia
- Convenience store chains in the United States
- Truck stop networks
- Haslam family
- Family-operated businesses in the United States
- American companies established in 1958