Learn About Tom Love – Co-founder – Love’s Travel Stops

The legacy of Tom Love, co-founder of Love’s Travel Stops, is a testament to the power of entrepreneurial vision and family values. Alongside his wife Judy, Tom built a family-owned business from a single leased service station in 1964 into a nationwide network of over 600 locations across America.

Under Tom’s guidance, Love’s Travel Stops transformed the travel stop industry with a customer-first philosophy, now employing more than 39,000 people across 42 states. Tom’s commitment to honesty, service, and people-first leadership has had a lasting impact on countless communities.

Key Takeaways

• Tom Love co-founded Love’s Travel Stops with his wife Judy in 1964.
• The company grew from one service station to over 600 locations nationwide.
• Tom’s business acumen and customer-first approach revolutionized the industry.
• Love’s Travel Stops now employs more than 39,000 people across 42 states.
• The company’s core principles include honesty, service, and people-first leadership.

The Life and Legacy of Tom Love – Co-founder – Love’s Travel Stops

The passing of Tom Love marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on. As the co-founder of Love’s Travel Stops, Tom Love left an indelible mark on the industry. His life was a testament to his unwavering commitment to family and business.

Early Life and Family Background

Tom Love was born in 1937 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His early life laid the foundation for the values that would guide him throughout his journey.

Education and Military Service

Tom’s educational journey took him from St. Gregory’s Preparatory School in Shawnee, Oklahoma, to St. John’s University in Minnesota. He then answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 1954, demonstrating his commitment to service and discipline.

Marriage to Judy Love

In 1960, Tom married Judy, beginning a 62-year partnership that would prove successful not only in marriage but also in business, as they would later co-found Love’s Travel Stops together.

The Passing of an Industry Pioneer

Tom Love’s passing in 2023 at the age of 85 marked the end of an era for the travel stop industry. The Love family expressed deep sadness but also commitment to continuing his legacy of integrity, honesty, and faith. As they stated, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved husband, father, and grandfather… He loved people, and that was evident in how he guided our family, operated the business he started in 1964, and gave back to our community.”

Throughout his life, Tom was guided by core values that emphasized the importance of family, community service, and creating opportunities for others to succeed. His approach to both life and business was characterized by a genuine love for people, which was evident in how he guided his family and operated the business.

Building a Travel Stop Empire

Tom Love’s entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of a vast network of travel stops across America. With a vision for convenience and service, Love’s has become a household name among travelers and truckers alike.

Humble Beginnings: The First Service Station

In 1964, Tom and Judy Love took a significant leap by leasing an abandoned service station in Watonga, a small rural town northwest of Oklahoma City, with just $5,000. This marked the beginning of what would become a nationwide empire. The initial business, then called Musket Corporation, experienced rapid growth, opening 40 stores across western Oklahoma within eight years.

Innovation in the Industry: The Country Store Concept

Tom’s innovative vision led to the creation of the “country store” concept in 1972, revolutionizing the industry by combining self-service gasoline with grocery and convenience store items—a first in the nation at their Guymon, Oklahoma location. This groundbreaking store model featured extended hours, seven days a week, offering customers unprecedented convenience that would become a hallmark of the Love Travel brand.

Expansion and Growth Across America

As the company expanded across the country, Tom continued to innovate, adding hot and fresh food options, truck maintenance services, and shower facilities to better serve travelers and truckers. Under Tom’s leadership, Love’s Travel Stops opened its first travel stop on Interstate 40 in Amarillo, Texas, in 1981. The business flourished, eventually opening its 600th location in October 2022, with a presence in 42 states across the country, offering numerous locations for weary travelers to rest and refuel.

Business Philosophy and Core Values

The business philosophy of Love’s Travel Stops, as envisioned by Tom Love, was rooted in a commitment to honesty, customer service, and family values. This foundation has been instrumental in the company’s success and continues to guide its operations.

Honesty and Integrity in Leadership

Tom Love’s leadership was characterized by unwavering honesty and integrity. Throughout his 59 years at the helm of Love’s Travel Stops, these principles remained unshakeable, forming the bedrock of the company’s corporate culture. According to Shane Wharton, president of Love’s, these core values continue to guide the company today.

“Tom Love’s business philosophy was built on unwavering principles of honesty and integrity,” said Shane Wharton, president of Love’s.

What distinguished Tom as a leader was his genuine interest in people. He actively listened to employees and customers, valuing their thoughts and ideas. This approach fostered a positive work environment and encouraged customer loyalty.

Putting Customers First: “Clean Places, Friendly Faces”

Tom’s customer-first approach was encapsulated in the company-wide motto “Clean Places, Friendly Faces.” This mantra continues to embody the Love’s brand promise, emphasizing the importance of a welcoming and clean environment for customers. Tom’s commitment to serving others extended beyond business into his personal life, earning him respect throughout the industry and his community.

The focus on customer satisfaction has been a key factor in Love’s Travel Stops’ success, contributing to its growth and expansion across America.

A Family-Centered Approach to Business

The Love’s business model was distinctly family-centered, with Tom and his wife Judy working as true partners. Their children were eventually involved in the operation and growth of the company, creating a unique corporate culture that balanced professional practices with personal values. This approach has enabled the company to expand into complementary businesses such as truck maintenance, logistics, and alternative energies.

Tom’s ability to combine sound business principles with family values created a sustainable model that has proven successful across generations.

Conclusion: Tom Love’s Enduring Impact

Tom Love’s legacy continues to inspire and influence the travel stop industry across America. As the co-founder of Love’s Travel Stops, Tom transformed the industry with his innovative approach to customer service and community engagement.

The Love family’s commitment to excellence is evident in their continued dedication to the principles of honesty, integrity, and faith that guided Tom throughout his life. Their philanthropic efforts have left a lasting impact on the community, with donations to organizations such as Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and the University of Oklahoma.

Tom’s legacy extends beyond the success of Love’s Travel Stops, with landmarks like the Tom Love Innovation Hub and Love’s Planetarium at Science Museum Oklahoma serving as a testament to his enduring impact. As the company continues to thrive, employing thousands and serving millions, the Love family’s commitment to “Clean Places, Friendly Faces” remains a cornerstone of their business philosophy.