TravelCenters of America (TA) provided business updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing that it has furloughed approximately 2,900 field employees, as well as approximately 122 corporate employees.
Currently, all TA, Petro Stopping Centers and TA Express travel centers remain open, providing essential services to drivers across the nation with fuel, showers, restrooms, quick-serve restaurants and convenience stores. Employees continue to take precautionary measures consistent with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to minimize the spread of coronavirus, including social distancing and enhanced cleaning protocols.
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.
Primarily 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. All furloughed employees currently enrolled in TA’s benefits programs will continue to be eligible for healthcare coverage based on their plan. Impacted employees are eligible to apply for enhanced unemployment benefits under the CARES Act.
“This decision was very difficult, but these are unprecedented times,” said Jon Pertchik, CEO of TA. “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.”
