One major Buc-ee’s competitor is adding a Texas favorite to its newest location in the Lone Star State, which opened this week.
Love’s Travel Stops is partnering with Whataburger for the first time at its new travel center and gas station in San Antonio, located along Interstate 410 on the city’s South Side, off exit 412 at 9530 Southton Road. The on-site Whataburger restaurant is expected to open May 4, the company said in a news release.
The 14,954-square-foot facility includes amenities geared toward long-haul drivers, such as truck parking, shower and laundry areas, and even a dog park. It features 70 truck parking spaces and 77 car parking spaces. It also has spaces allocated for electric vehicle charging.
Though the Oklahoma-based chain is sometimes considered a Buc-ee’s rival, the beaver brand has specifically banned semi trucks from its large-format travel centers, unlike Love’s, which welcomes them with open arms.
Love’s has traditionally filled its travel centers with national fast-food brands, including Arby’s and Burger King, rather than regional chains. This is the first Whataburger at a Love’s in the company’s history. It was not immediately clear whether other Love’s locations will also be occupied by Whataburger in the future.
Texas is a major market for Love’s with about 90 locations statewide, compared with the state’s 36 Buc-ee’s locations.