QuikTrip, Love's Open New Locations

TULSA and OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- QuikTrip took the first step in its South Carolina expansion today as it opened the doors to its first store in the state, according to a Tulsa World report. The convenience store chain plans to follow today's opening with a further nine stores currently under construction.

"QuikTrip announced a little over a year ago that we would begin operations in South Carolina," QuikTrip President and CEO Chet Cadieux said in a statement. "We are absolutely thrilled that day has actually come."

The first store is located in Boiling Springs, a suburb of Spartanburg in western South Carolina, according to the report. Company spokesman Mike Thornbrugh said the company will open its next store in Charlotte in February or March.

All of the South Carolina QuikTrips are new constructions. The company does not purchase buildings from competing chains, according to Thornbrugh.

The Tulsa-based chain currently operates 582 stores in 10 states.

Another Oklahoma-based company, Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores, also continues to expand, opening two new locations in Cottondale, Fla., and DeMotte, Ind., according to a TireBusiness report.

The Cottondale site is located on Interstate 10 off exit 130 and includes Chester's Chicken and McDonald's restaurants; 98 truck parking spots; DEF dispensers at diesel islands; CAT scales; five showers; and RFID cardless fueling technology and other amenities, according to Love's. To celebrate the opening, professional drivers will earn double "I Love Rewards" loyalty points on their purchases at the new stop through Oct. 29.

The Demotte site is located at Interstate 65 off exit 230 and includes an Arby's restaurant; 118 truck parking spots; DEF dispensers at diesel islands; CAT scales; five showers; and a game room, as well as other amenities. Professional drivers can earn double loyalty points at this location through Nov. 6.

Both locations feature Love's Truck Tire Care centers, which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and offer services such as tire alignments and changes as well as new tires for sale.

Love's currently operates 275 locations across 39 states.