Ta Truck Stop: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

TravelCenters of America was founded in 1972 by Phil Saunders under the name Truckstops of America. Saunders's passion for the business began years earlier while working at a service station in Rochester, New York, where he pumped fuel, changed tires, and got to know professional truck drivers personally. He recognized that oil companies were building traditional gas stations without considering what professional drivers actually needed, and he built his first location as a midway point on drivers' routes between the South and upstate New York, ultimately expanding the concept from a truck-focused stop into a broader travel center appealing to all motorists.

The company changed ownership multiple times over subsequent decades: it was purchased by the Ryder Corporation shortly after its founding, then by Standard Oil of Ohio in 1984, which was itself acquired by BP in 1987. BP later sold the chain to The Clipper Group in 1993. In 1997, Truckstops of America merged with the National Auto/Truck Stops chain, adding 112 sites and changing its name to TravelCenters of America. The company added the Petro Stopping Centers brand to its portfolio in 2007 and has continued operating multiple brands including TA, TA Express, Petro Stopping Centers, and GOASIS. In a notable turn, BP re-entered the picture in 2023, acquiring the entirety of TravelCenters of America for approximately $1.3 billion, bringing the company back under BP's ownership decades after BP had originally sold it.

Today, TravelCenters of America operates more than 270 to 285 full-service travel center locations across 44 U.S. states and Canada, employing nearly 19,000 to 20,000 team members. The company's core offerings include diesel and gasoline fueling, truck maintenance and repair services, full-service and quick-service restaurants (including brands like Iron Skillet and Country Pride), and travel and convenience stores. TA's workforce includes fuel desk and convenience store staff, restaurant and food service employees, truck maintenance and repair technicians, and travel center management supporting its highway-side locations.

Company culture and employee programs: TravelCenters of America describes its mission as returning every traveler to the road better than they came, emphasizing service to professional drivers as central to its identity since its founding. The company has undergone a significant transformation plan in recent years, including expanding restaurant options, remodeling sites, upgrading technology, and growing its franchise base. Benefits, scheduling, and advancement opportunities can vary by location and role, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the travel center and truck stop industry, including TA, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

TA is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for travel center and truck stop employers, particularly for roles involving cash handling, fuel operations, and truck maintenance services.

The hiring process for travel center staff, restaurant, and truck service positions at TA typically includes an application, an interview with a location manager, and a background check prior to a final offer.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for a travel center role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though state laws may extend or restrict this timeframe depending on the type of record and jurisdiction.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role, particularly for positions involving cash handling or fuel operations. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what TA Truck Stop may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to TA Truck Stop or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.