November 4, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Anne LeZotte, Communications Manager
Office: (865) 474-3028
Email: [email protected]
Lauren Miller, Moxley Carmichael
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Email: [email protected]
Pilot House coffee blend to be sold in take-home and single-serve packs
Whether you’re an office worker making your morning commute, a construction crew member headed to the jobsite, a family embarking on a road trip or a professional driver hauling a cross-country delivery, the first thing you probably reach for to start your journey is a hot cup of coffee.
It’s a safe bet, considering that about 83 percent of Americans drink coffee, and coffee drinkers enjoy an average of three cups per day. That’s 587 million cups of coffee consumed daily in the United States.
Knoxville, Tennessee-based Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers in North America, contributes its fair share to the country’s coffee industry – selling more than 130,000 cups per day of what has been dubbed the “Best Coffee on the Interstate.”
In fact, if you took the number of coffee beans Pilot Flying J brews each year and placed them side-by-side, they would circle the Earth three times.
Building upon the company’s successful coffee offerings and the country’s demand for its daily cup of joe, Pilot Flying J is entering a new market this fall with the introduction of take-home bags and single-serve packs of its best-selling Pilot House coffee blend.
“For decades, our company has been focused on fueling America in the literal sense of providing gasoline and diesel fuel,” Pilot Flying J CEO Jimmy Haslam said. “For several years now, we’ve also taken great pride in fueling America in a different sense: with great coffee.
“Our customers are hard workers – professional drivers, commuters and busy families who are on the go. With our coffee selection, we provide them with quality, variety and convenience that can now be enjoyed at home in addition to being enjoyed on the road and at our stores.”
As of Nov. 1, Pilot House coffee is available for purchase in take-home bags and single-serve packs at all Pilot Travel Centers and Flying J Travel Plazas nationwide. The price is $5.99 for either a 10-ounce bag or eight-pack of single-serve coffee cups, which are compatible with most Keurig machines.
Rolling out the take-home option with both brew bags and single-serve packs was important to the company, Haslam said. According to the National Coffee Association’s 2014 National Coffee Drinking Trends study, 29 percent surveyed used a single-cup brewer the previous day, up 9 percent from last year. Also, 15 percent of American households own a single-cup brewing system, and one-fourth who do not are likely to buy one in the next six months.
“Coffee brewing in America is trending toward a single-brewing method, so offering single-serve packs is essential,” said Whitman Harson, senior category manager of hot beverages for Pilot Flying J. “However, the majority of households still use a drip coffeemaker, so it was just as important that we feature take-home bags. Our priority always is to provide convenience and value to all of our customers.”
The announcement of the home-brewing options complements several other coffee initiatives from Pilot Flying J, ranked No. 7 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies.
In addition to currently featuring its seasonal favorite, Pumpkin Spice coffee and cappuccino, the company added its first single-origin blend – Brazilian Blend coffee – to its year-round offerings in October.
This fall, Pilot Flying J also unveiled new company logos and branding, and the updated look includes its coffee cups.
“The new look is bold,” Harson said. “It’s exciting, and I think that reflects how our team is feeling across the board about our new coffee offerings. We hope and expect that our customers will be just as happy.”
To learn more about Pilot Flying J coffee, visit www.pilotflyingj.com/coffee.
To learn more about Pilot Flying J and to find a location nearest to you, visit www.pilotflyingj.com or download the myPilot app from iTunes or Google Play on your smartphone. You also can visit Pilot Flying J on Facebook and Twitter.
About Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America, is committed to making life better for professional drivers. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot Flying J has more than 650 retail locations. The Pilot Flying J network provides drivers with access to more than 65,000 parking spaces for trucks, 4,400 showers and more than 4,500 diesel lanes offering DEF at the pump. Pilot Flying J subsidiary Pilot Logistics Services is one of the fastest growing independent energy logistics companies in North America. Together, Pilot Flying J and Pilot Logistic Services employ more than 24,000 people. Pilot Flying J is currently ranked No. 7 on Forbes’ list of America’s Largest Private Companies. Visit www.pilotflyingj.com for more information.
Maria Cornelius
