Today in 42 states across the country, truckers and leisure drivers will stop for fuel and food at one of the 637 Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores along America’s major highways.

The familiar chain of stores – celebrating its 60th anniversary this month – grew from a single filling station in Watonga to become the only major travel stop that is still family owned and operated.

“It’s unusual that any company at the 60-year mark is still accelerating and still family-owned. Most companies would have gone public,” Love’s President Shane Wharton said. “We see that as a competitive advantage, and it gives us a different feel.”

The plan is to keep the company founded by Tom and Judy Love in the family for years to come. The couple were married for 62 years when he died 10 months shy of the company’s 60th anniversary.

Today, Judy Love and their four children own the company with annual revenues reported at $26.5 billion. Sons Greg and Frank have been co-CEOs since 2014, daughter Jenny Love Meyer is an executive vice president, and three adult grandchildren are working in the company.

Read the full story on the JournalRecord.com.