What is the role of TA Operating, an affiliate of Petro Stopping Center, in relation to Petro Stopping Center franchisees?
Petro_Stopping_Center Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
TA Operating LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("TA Operating"), is our Affiliate. TA Operating owns trade names, trademarks, service marks, and intellectual property used by our franchisees. TA Operating is also the supplier of certain services and proprietary products to our franchisees. TA Operating was originally formed as a Delaware corporation on July 18, 1993 and converted to a Delaware limited liability company on January 31, 2007. TA Operating's principal place of business is 24601 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145-5634. TA Operating or its predecessors have operated restaurants and travel centers since 1993. As of December 31, 2024, TA Operating operates 66 Petro Centers. TA Operating also operates 167 TA Centers and 13 TA Express Centers.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–14)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Petro Stopping Center Franchise Disclosure Document, TA Operating LLC, an affiliate of Petro Stopping Center, plays a significant role for franchisees. TA Operating owns the trade names, trademarks, service marks, and intellectual property that Petro Stopping Center franchisees use to operate their businesses. This means that franchisees are licensing these crucial brand assets from TA Operating, not directly from Petro Stopping Center itself. This is a common arrangement in franchising, where a separate entity within the franchise system holds the intellectual property for legal and brand management reasons.
In addition to owning the brand assets, TA Operating also acts as a supplier of certain services and proprietary products to Petro Stopping Center franchisees. This suggests that franchisees may be required or incentivized to purchase specific goods or services from TA Operating to maintain brand standards and operational consistency. This arrangement allows TA Operating to ensure quality control and potentially benefit from economies of scale by supplying multiple franchise locations.
As of December 31, 2024, TA Operating operates 66 Petro Centers, as well as 167 TA Centers and 13 TA Express Centers. This indicates that TA Operating is not only a supplier and intellectual property holder but also an operator within the travel center industry. This direct operational experience could inform the services and products they offer to franchisees, as well as their understanding of the challenges and opportunities franchisees face. Prospective franchisees should understand the specific services and products TA Operating provides and any obligations to use them.