WESTLAKE, Ohio — TravelCenters of America Inc. has furloughed approximately 2,900 field employees, as well as 122 corporate employees, as a result of the closures of its full-service restaurants, the company said in a business update related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express travel centers remain open, providing essential services to drivers across the nation with fuel, showers, restrooms, quick-service restaurants and convenience stores. Employees continue to take precautionary measures consistent with the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to minimize the spread of the coronavirus, including social distancing and enhanced cleaning protocols.
COVID-19 has caused many state and local governments to close or severely limit nonessential services, including full-service restaurants. In addition, broader stay-at-home orders and an overall decrease in consumer demand has “significantly and adversely” affected TA’s full-service restaurant business, the company said.
All furloughed employees currently enrolled in TA’s benefits programs will continue to be eligible for healthcare coverage based on their plan. Affected employees are eligible to apply for enhanced unemployment benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
“This decision was very difficult, but these are unprecedented times. We believe this step is necessary to preserve the long-term success of our company and to ensure our essential services remain available for the millions of professional drivers who rely on us daily,” said Jon Pertchik, CEO of TA.
TA did not respond to a CSP Daily News request for further comment by posting time.
- TravelCenters of America is No. 27 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSPwill release the complete 2020 list in June.
TravelCenters of America is a major publicly traded travel-center network. Founded in 1972 and based in Westlake, Ohio, its more than 21,000 employees provide services to customers in more than 260 locations in 44 states and Canada, principally under the TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express brands. Offerings include diesel and gasoline fuel, truck maintenance and repair, full-service and quick-service restaurants, car and truck parking and other services and amenities. It also operates nearly 650 full-service and quick-service restaurants and 10 proprietary brands, including Quaker Steak and Lube, Iron Skillet and Country Pride.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.