Full-service restaurant closures at its travel hubs have forced TravelCenters of America to furlough 2,900 employees, the company announced Monday in a COVID-19 pandemic business update.
TravelCenters of America locations are home to 650 quick-service and full-service dining brands including Arby’s, Subway, Bob Evans Farms, Black Bear Diner, Fuddruckers, Dunkin’, Starbucks, Carl’s Jr., Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Wendy’s, Burger King and Fazoli’s. Currently, all TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express travel centers remain open during the crisis including quick-serve restaurants and convenience stores.
However, COVID-19 "has caused many state and local governments to close or severely limit non-essential services including full-service restaurants. In addition, broader stay-at-home orders and an overall decrease in consumer demand has significantly and adversely affected TA’s full-service restaurant business," the company said.
As a result of its full-service restaurant closures, "TA has made the difficult decision to furlough approximately 2,900 field employees, as well as approximately 122 corporate employees," the company announced Monday.
All furloughed employees currently enrolled in TA’s benefits programs will continue to be eligible for health care coverage based on their plan. Impacted employees are eligible to apply for enhanced unemployment benefits under emergency relief funded through the CARES Act.
“This decision was very difficult, but these are unprecedented times. We believe this step is necessary to preserve the long-term success of our company and to ensure our essential services remain available for the millions of professional drivers who rely on us daily,” CEO Jon Pertchik said in a statement.
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