Love's Travel Stops and Country Stores began 60 years ago in Watonga, Oklahoma and has grown to become a well-known brand across the United States.
Love's currently operates more than 630 truck stops in 42 states and has no plans to slow down.
Chief Culture Officer and Executive Vice President Jenny Love Meyer, daughter of founders Tom and Judy Love, comes to the Coca-Cola Southwest Beverage Porch to talk about Love's past 60 years and the next 60 years. We talked.
Meyer said it's amazing to compare the company's early days to where it is now.
“When you look back at where we started and where we are now and look at our organization of about 40,000 team members across the country, it's really, really amazing. It's really, really amazing and really thrilling.”
She said that in 1964 her father needed a way to support his family and decided to rent an abandoned gas station.
“He was able to move into that gas station and rent it out, and he continued to do that for the next 10 years, and by the end of the decade he had 40 locations,” Meyer said.
Over the years, the company has been deeply involved in the Oklahoma City community.
Meyer said given their family's success, they feel it is their responsibility to give back.
“We are fortunate to be able to do that because Oklahoma City is our home and we should be able to contribute and help our community become better,” Meyer said.
Most recently, the Loves donated millions of dollars to build a new softball stadium in Norman for the University of Oklahoma team.
Coach Patti Gasso was impressed with the field's dedication and said the field had been decades in the making.
“We've had a lot of coaches come and go. I've watched my sons coach here. So, after 30 years, it was time to move to the mansion,” Gasso said.
Meyer said partnering with the program was important given how Gasso operates.
“When I met the team and met Coach Gasso, it was just like, pardon the pun, I noticed the similarities between her team and the way we run our business,” Meyer said. said. “One thing after another really became something bigger than ourselves, and we were able to spur that on.”
Meyer said the company is grateful for the past 60 years of support that have enabled Oklahomans to make such significant contributions to their communities.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our 60th anniversary. We are truly able to do what we do because of not only our team members, but also our loyal customers who come to us every day.” Meyer he said. “I’m just excited to be able to serve them and excited that we can build that kind of relationship with our customers.”
