2xR
******* Derelict *******
I just learned this last night, and, heard four different versions. There is no official news release, that I could find, so here are what I know to be the facts, as confirmed by a reliable Petro Travel Store employee.
On my trip up North I had to purchase small amounts of fuel, frequently, due to being very nearly over loaded. Three of these stops were at Petro's. Specifically, Mebane, NC, Ruther Glen, VA, and, Elkton, MD. I dined and camped out in Elkton. Upon entering the plaza, I noticed a big, white sign advertising the "Truck Stop of The Future", and, it referenced a "Highway Travel Plaza" blah, blah, blah... I thought they were being elusive, trying to generate interest in their next big advertising campaign. They keep something going all the time. I paid it very little attention.
After I made my round to Leominster, and, got loaded in Philly, I hauled tail back to the Petro in Elkton for some fuel, truck wash, shower, meal, and a nap. During my meal a driver mentioned that if any of us had any points on our reward card, we should cash them in, cause Petro wasn't gonna' be Petro on February 1st. This started one hell of a conversation, and, the waitress chimed in, confirming what the driver had stated.
I have a bunch of reward points. Too many, in fact. After eating I went straight to the travel store and struck up a conversation with the clerk to determine just what was going on, and, how it was gonna' impact my card. She said that the name was going to change but "everything" else would remain the same. She even showed me an e-mail she had printed. The e-mail only referenced her job and pay check remaining the same, nothing else. They were trying to prop her up. She did say it only effected four stores, three of which were "my fuel stops."
I decided to sleep on it, and, dig a little deeper before I cashed in my points buying "stupit" stuff I didn't want.
I drove to the Mebane store, thinking I should just go ahead and dump the points there. They had a better store. The clerk saw my aimless browsing and asked if she could help me. I told her I was just trying to decide what to buy with my soon to be worthless Petro card. Of course, she wanted to know what I was talking about, and, I thought, "uh-oh, they haven't told her yet." I explained what I had been told, and, she said, "I don't think so." She left.
In a few minutes she approached me again, this time with information. She told me that I was mostly correct, except, that the Mebane store wasn't involved.
Here's her bosses version:
The parties that own the Petro franchises in Carnesville, GA, Florence, SC, Ruther Glen, VA, and, Elkton, MD are dropping their franchises. The facilities will remain open, but, will be operated under the "Highway Travel Plaza" name. This is suppose to be completed by Monday, February 1st. They will no longer honor Petro Passport cards, but, will issue their own loyalty reward cards.
So, it seems that the Petro chain is much like the McDonald's chain, being that some of the stores are owned by franchisees, not the parent company. This is interesting.
As soon as a news release hits the web, I'll post it. In the meanwhile, I wanted to get the word out to you East Coast Petro customers with fat Passport cards.
On my trip up North I had to purchase small amounts of fuel, frequently, due to being very nearly over loaded. Three of these stops were at Petro's. Specifically, Mebane, NC, Ruther Glen, VA, and, Elkton, MD. I dined and camped out in Elkton. Upon entering the plaza, I noticed a big, white sign advertising the "Truck Stop of The Future", and, it referenced a "Highway Travel Plaza" blah, blah, blah... I thought they were being elusive, trying to generate interest in their next big advertising campaign. They keep something going all the time. I paid it very little attention.
After I made my round to Leominster, and, got loaded in Philly, I hauled tail back to the Petro in Elkton for some fuel, truck wash, shower, meal, and a nap. During my meal a driver mentioned that if any of us had any points on our reward card, we should cash them in, cause Petro wasn't gonna' be Petro on February 1st. This started one hell of a conversation, and, the waitress chimed in, confirming what the driver had stated.
I have a bunch of reward points. Too many, in fact. After eating I went straight to the travel store and struck up a conversation with the clerk to determine just what was going on, and, how it was gonna' impact my card. She said that the name was going to change but "everything" else would remain the same. She even showed me an e-mail she had printed. The e-mail only referenced her job and pay check remaining the same, nothing else. They were trying to prop her up. She did say it only effected four stores, three of which were "my fuel stops."
I decided to sleep on it, and, dig a little deeper before I cashed in my points buying "stupit" stuff I didn't want.
I drove to the Mebane store, thinking I should just go ahead and dump the points there. They had a better store. The clerk saw my aimless browsing and asked if she could help me. I told her I was just trying to decide what to buy with my soon to be worthless Petro card. Of course, she wanted to know what I was talking about, and, I thought, "uh-oh, they haven't told her yet." I explained what I had been told, and, she said, "I don't think so." She left.
In a few minutes she approached me again, this time with information. She told me that I was mostly correct, except, that the Mebane store wasn't involved.
Here's her bosses version:
The parties that own the Petro franchises in Carnesville, GA, Florence, SC, Ruther Glen, VA, and, Elkton, MD are dropping their franchises. The facilities will remain open, but, will be operated under the "Highway Travel Plaza" name. This is suppose to be completed by Monday, February 1st. They will no longer honor Petro Passport cards, but, will issue their own loyalty reward cards.
So, it seems that the Petro chain is much like the McDonald's chain, being that some of the stores are owned by franchisees, not the parent company. This is interesting.
As soon as a news release hits the web, I'll post it. In the meanwhile, I wanted to get the word out to you East Coast Petro customers with fat Passport cards.
This is just capitalism at work. We should look forward to change. Something good will stick - someday.
