You’ve probably seen the massive neon signs glowing along the interstate at 2:00 AM. For decades, those red and yellow Pilot and Flying J towers have been the unofficial North Stars for long-haul truckers and family road-trippers alike. But if you’re looking at a Flying J today and wondering whose name is on the deed, the answer has changed quite a bit recently. Honestly, the days of the founding family running the show are officially over.
As of early 2024, Flying J is 100% owned by Berkshire Hathaway, the massive conglomerate led by Warren Buffett.
This wasn’t some overnight hostile takeover. It was a slow-motion acquisition that took seven years, a massive amount of cash, and even a bitter lawsuit that almost went to trial before a last-minute settlement changed everything. If you still think the Haslam family—the folks who also own the Cleveland Browns—are the bosses, you're living in the past. They’ve completely cashed out.
The Final Buyout: How Buffett Got the Rest
The road to full ownership wasn't exactly smooth. Back in 2017, Berkshire Hathaway bought a minority stake (about 38.6%) in Pilot Travel Centers LLC, which is the parent company for both Pilot and Flying J. The plan was always for Berkshire to eventually take over. In 2023, they bumped that stake up to 80%, leaving the Haslam family with just a 20% "legacy" slice of the pie.
Then things got messy.
By late 2023, the two sides were essentially at war. The Haslams accused Berkshire of using "accounting tricks" to make the company look less profitable, which would lower the price Berkshire had to pay for that final 20%. Berkshire fired back, alleging that Jimmy Haslam had basically tried to bribe Pilot employees with secret payments to artificially inflate the company's value. It was high-stakes drama in a Delaware courtroom.
Just days before the trial was set to start in January 2024, they settled. The terms of the settlement weren't made public, but the result was clear: Berkshire Hathaway bought that final 20% immediately. Effective January 16, 2024, the "Oracle of Omaha" became the sole owner of the largest travel center network in North America.
The Messy Marriage of Pilot and Flying J
To understand why "Pilot Flying J" is even a thing, you have to go back to 2010. Before that, they were fierce rivals. Flying J was a massive powerhouse based in Utah, founded by the Call family. But in 2008, the company hit a brick wall. A combination of skyrocketing oil prices and a sudden freeze in the credit markets forced Flying J into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
It was a total shock to the industry.
Pilot, based in Knoxville and led by the Haslams, saw an opportunity. They didn't just buy the company; they merged the two brands into one giant entity. At the time, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was actually worried about a monopoly, so they forced the new company to sell off 26 locations to Love’s Travel Stops just to keep things competitive.
Since then, they’ve operated as one company with two different "faces" on the highway. You'll still see Flying J signs and Pilot signs, but the coffee, the loyalty cards, and the ownership are identical.
📖 Related: How Chick-fil-A Donate Programs Actually Work Now
Who Is Running the Show Now?
Warren Buffett isn't exactly out there flipping burgers or managing diesel pumps. Berkshire Hathaway is known for buying great companies and then installing their own trusted leadership.
The current leadership team at Pilot Company looks very different than it did five years ago:
- Adam Wright (CEO): A Berkshire veteran who took the reigns to lead the transition. He previously spent years within the Berkshire Hathaway Energy family.
- Joe Lillo (CFO): Another Berkshire-appointed executive brought in to handle the massive financial engine that generates over $40 billion in annual revenue.
- Jesus Guerra: Recently named President of Energy, taking over the massive fuel-buying arm of the business.
The Haslam family has completely stepped away from the day-to-day operations. Jim Haslam II, who started the company with one gas station in 1958, called the sale an "emotional decision" but the right one for his family. They’ve shifted their focus toward philanthropy in the Knoxville area and, of course, their sports ventures.
Why Does This Matter to You?
You might think, "Who cares who owns the place as long as the bathrooms are clean?" But ownership changes usually mean strategy changes.
📖 Related: 12500 euro to usd: Why Timing Your Exchange Matters Right Now
Under Berkshire, there’s a massive push toward the future of energy. They aren't just selling diesel anymore. Pilot Flying J is currently in the middle of a multi-billion dollar project called "New Horizons." They are remodeling hundreds of stores and, perhaps more importantly, partnering with GM and EVgo to build a coast-to-coast network of EV fast chargers.
Buffett knows that the "gas station" of 2035 won't look like the one from 1985.
Actionable Insights for Travelers and Drivers
If you’re a regular at Flying J, here’s what you need to know about the current state of things under the new ownership:
- Loyalty is King: The "myRewards Plus" app is the central hub for everything now. Since Berkshire is big on data, expect more personalized deals and streamlined payments through the app rather than physical cards.
- Modernization is Coming: If your local Flying J feels like a 90s time capsule, it probably won't for long. The "New Horizons" initiative is specifically targeting older locations for full-scale interior and exterior overhauls.
- Alternative Fuels: If you're driving an EV or looking for renewable diesel, Flying J is becoming a more reliable stop. They are pivoting hard to be the "energy provider of the future," not just the "gas station of the past."
- The "Big Three" Rivalry: The competition between Pilot Flying J (Berkshire), Love’s (Family-owned), and TA (recently bought by BP) is heating up. This is great for you because it means cleaner bathrooms and better food as they fight for your business.
Basically, the era of the family-owned truck stop is fading. When you pull into a Flying J today, you’re entering a small piece of the Berkshire Hathaway empire, right alongside GEICO, Dairy Queen, and Duracell. It's a massive corporate machine now, but one with the deepest pockets in the world.
💡 You might also like: The Prize: Why the Epic Quest for Oil Still Defines Our World
To stay updated on these changes, your best bet is to keep the Pilot Flying J app updated, as that's where most of the new Berkshire-led initiatives and loyalty shifts roll out first.