TravelCenters of America
Key figures
| Initial franchise fee | $80,000 |
| Total investment (Item 7) | $1,460,800 – $14,107,100 |
| Royalty (Item 6) | 4.5% of gross sales |
| Headquarters state | IL |
| Legal name (Item 1) | TA FRANCHISE SYSTEMS LLC |
| FDD issuance date | 2026-03-17 |
| Brand website | https://www.ta-petro.com |
About TravelCenters of America
PARENTS TA Franchise is a wholly owned subsidiary of TravelCenters of America Inc., a Maryland corporation (“TA”). TA Franchise’s principal place of business is 24601 Center Ridge Road, Westlake, Ohio 44145-5634. TERRITORY (Item 12): territory is NOT exclusive - the FDD states you will not receive an exclusive territory.
Due diligence dossier
Every figure below is as disclosed in this brand's own FDD, with its FDD citation. FranchiseKI adds no analysis and estimates nothing.
Unit history (Item 20)
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 13 | 165 | 178 |
| 2024 | 14 | 167 | 181 |
| 2025 | 33 | 153 | 186 |
Source: Item 20, p.82 of the brand's FDD.
Risk & history facts
| Closures in the last 3 years | 0 (Item 20, p.82-102 of the FDD) |
| Transfers in the last 3 years | 7 (Item 20, p.82 of the FDD) |
| Litigation matters disclosed (Item 3) | 10 (Item 3, p.16 of the FDD) |
| Bankruptcy (Item 4) | No bankruptcy disclosed (Item 4) (Item 4, p.28 of the FDD) |
Litigation summary (Item 3): One pending lawsuit by a former franchisee alleging fraudulent inducement and breach of contract regarding a TA Express Center, seeking over $300 million in damages. Several claims were dismissed, but fraud and breach of contract claims remain active. (Item 3, p.16 of the FDD)
Item 19 — franchisor-provided financial performance representations
These figures are the franchisor's own representations in Item 19 of its FDD. They are not verified earnings and are not a promise of what any unit will earn.
| Average revenue | $11,581,395 (Item 19, p.80 of the FDD) |
| Median revenue | $9,597,451 (Item 19, p.80 of the FDD) |
| Revenue range | $3,987,217 – $35,801,774 (Item 19, p.80 of the FDD) |
Ownership & operations
| Owner-operator required | Yes (Item 15, p.67 of the FDD) |
| Absentee ownership allowed | No (Item 15, p.67 of the FDD) |
| Typical time to open | 36 months (Item 11, p.48 of the FDD) |
Territory description (Item 12): The franchisee operates at a single approved site. A 'Protected Area' may be designated in Exhibit C, within which the franchisor will not grant others the right to operate a TA Center, but the territory is not exclusive. (Item 12, p.57-58 of the FDD)
Training: SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING Except as listed below, we are not required to provide you with any assistance. (Item 11, p.48 of the FDD)
Ongoing support:
- Advice regarding operation, purchasing, and marketing
- Initial and on-going assistance including an 'opening team' for up to two weeks
- Amended or revised Manuals
- Fuel pricing discount negotiation support
- Site selection counseling and on-site evaluations
Source: Item 11, p.48 of the brand's FDD.
Company facts
| Headquarters | Westlake, IL (Item 1, p.9 of the FDD) |
| Years in business | 44 (Item 1, p.9 of the FDD) |
| Years franchising | 36 (Item 1, p.9 of the FDD) |
| Parent company | TravelCenters of America Inc. (Item 1, p.9 of the FDD) |
| Initial term | 10 years (Item 17, p.70 of the FDD) |
| Renewal term | 5 years (Item 17, p.70 of the FDD) |
| Company-owned units | 153 (Item 20, p.82 of the FDD) |
Questions to ask the franchisor
Generated from what this brand's FDD data does not disclose — ask TravelCenters of America directly:
- What liquid capital does the franchisor require of a new franchisee? It is not disclosed in the FDD data we hold for this brand.
- What minimum net worth does the franchisor require? It is not disclosed in the FDD data we hold for this brand.
Territory — what the FDD says (Item 12)
Under this brand's Item 12 rule, the territory carries some protection but not full exclusivity — for example, the franchisor may reserve certain channels or accounts. Future concepts may also be reserved. Areas inside an existing franchisee's protected territory are generally not available to a new buyer for a directly competing unit; the exact limits are in the FDD text quoted above.
The FDD's own words (Item 12): “territory is NOT exclusive - the FDD states you will not receive an exclusive territory.”
Next steps with TravelCenters of America
Put TravelCenters of America on a shortlist. Compare it side by side with two other brands. Check it against your budget in the PerfectFit Quiz. Or talk it through with a vetted consultant. That conversation is free to buyers; call (385) 475-5319. Only the franchisor can confirm current terms. Only the franchisor can confirm territory availability.