Is TA Franchise an affiliate of Petro Stopping Center?
Petro_Stopping_Center Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
FILIATES**
TA Franchise Systems LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("TA Franchise"), is our Affiliate (as defined below). TA Franchise offers franchises for the operation of full-service, limited-service, and select-service travel center facilities ("TA Centers"), under the name "TravelCenters of America," "TA," "TA Express," and several other trademarks and service marks (the "TA System"). TA Franchise was formed as a Delaware corporation on July 13, 1982, and converted to a Delaware limited liability company on January 31, 2007. TA Franchise's principal place of business is 24601 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145-5634. TA Franchise has offered franchises since 1990. As of December 31, 2024, there were 14 TA franchises and 46 TA Express franchises in the TA System. TA Franchise has never operated a business of the type being franchised here.
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.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 9–14)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Petro Stopping Center's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, TA Franchise Systems LLC is indeed an affiliate of Petro Franchise Systems LLC. The document explicitly states that TA Franchise is an affiliate and defines the term 'affiliate' as an entity controlled by, controlling, or under common control with another entity. Petro Franchise Systems LLC is the franchisor for Petro Stopping Center. TA Franchise offers franchises for full-service, limited-service, and select-service travel center facilities under the names 'TravelCenters of America,' 'TA,' and 'TA Express'.
This affiliation means that TA Franchise and Petro Stopping Center are related entities, potentially sharing resources, management, or overall business strategies. For a prospective franchisee, this could imply certain synergies or coordinated efforts between the two franchise systems. It also suggests that the parent company has a broader presence in the travel center and truck stop industry through its various brands.
It's important for potential franchisees to understand the nature of this affiliation. While the FDD clarifies that TA Franchise has never operated a business of the type being franchised by Petro Stopping Center, the shared affiliation could still influence operational practices, marketing strategies, or supply chain management. Understanding these connections can provide a more comprehensive view of the franchise network and its competitive landscape.
Specifically, the FDD mentions that TA, TA Operating, TA Franchise, and BPPNA are collectively referred to as 'our Affiliates,' indicating a close relationship and potential for shared resources or strategies. This broader affiliation suggests that Petro Stopping Center franchisees may encounter interactions or collaborations with these other entities within the larger corporate structure.