Love's Travel Center, IHop Express open doors at I-80

Without fanfare, the newest addition to the Sidney business community quietly opened its doors Thursday morning. At 6:30 a.m., Love’s Travel Center and IHop Express restaurant officially opened following months of planning and construction.

Being a new offering along the interstate, the travel center didn’t have the traffic Thursday that more established stops have exhibited – yet by 9 p.m., more than 50 big rigs were on the property. Several truckers were filling large diesel tanks at the fuel islands, while others were parked in the massive parking lot to the west of the main set of buildings.

Inside the travel center, the still-new smell slightly covered that of hot dogs and other quick foods waiting to be snatched up by hungry travelers. New staff members were seen scurrying about, attending to foods, filling ice dispensers and eagerly offering to serve those seeking assistance.

Kealy Dorian, communication specialist for Love's, said the soft opening on Thursday went very smoothy.

The Love's Travel stop is located near Interstate 80 exit 59 on Upland Parkway, adding approximately 40 jobs to Cheyenne County.

Along with the travel stop, the IHOP Express will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. IHOP Express guests order food from the convenience of a service counter with food delivered by a team member to the dining area.

“The opening of the Sidney location marks Love’s first travel stop with an IHOP Express,” said Tom Love, founder and executive chairman of Love’s Travel Stops. “We’re proud to partner with the leading family restaurant brand to provide service to a new part of Nebraska. We look forward to serving Sidney residents with the ‘Clean Places, Friendly Faces’ the IHOP Express, Love's is always looking at ways we can expand our food options for our customers,” said Dorian.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Founded in 1964, Love’s has more than 370 locations in 40 states. Love’s, which remains family-owned and operated, employs more than 15,000 people and is currently ranked No. 14 on Forbes Magazine’s annual listing of America’s Largest Private Companies.

In addition to IHOP Express, 10,000 square foot facility features gourmet coffee, fresh fruit, gift merchandise, name-brand electronics, and a Love’s Truck Tire Care center. Professional drivers can take advantage of seven showers and 88 truck-parking spaces.

The company built an apartment building for employees, located east of the travel stop, and Love's will also be opening up a 68-room Comfort Inn & Suites adjacent to the travel stop in late 2016, adding approximately 15 more jobs to the community.