Dolly Parton Plans Travel Center

A travel center located adjacent to Interstate 65 in Connersville, Tenn., will reopen early next summer as the first Dolly Parton-branded Tennessean Travel Stop. Parton is undertaking this effort in partnership with the owners of the Tennessean Travel Stop, whose updated flagship will serve as the brand’s first locale.

While the partners are keeping specific design details under wraps until an official unveiling, the venture is moving through the necessary permitting and partnership phases, setting the stage for expansion across key travel corridors in Tennessee and beyond in the coming years.

“I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus,” says Parton, the songstress/actress-turned-entrepreneur whose ventures outside the music business include the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., a pet food line and partnerships with Williams-Sonoma and Cracker Barrel. “All the years spent visiting greasy spoon cafes, truck stops and roadside pit stops have given me an understanding of what traveler’s desire on the road. Whether you are driving a truck, a bus or a car, you want a place that feels like home and recharges you for the rest of your journey. I believe we will fill a void out there on the highways, all while bringing the heart and soul of Tennessee.”

Said Gregory H. Sachs, Chairman/CEO of the Tennessean Travel Stop and Sachs Capital Group: “The Tennessean has long been a ‘home away from home’ for truck drivers, travelers and locals alike. Our roots in this community run deep—we’ve created jobs, built connection, and welcomed generations of people through our doors. This new partnership allows us to carry that legacy forward in a way that celebrates everything special about Tennessee.”

The flagship location, which will remain open while being renovated, will introduce “an evolved travel experience that integrates modern amenities, curated dining and authentic regional retail with the approachable comfort travelers expect from both brands,” the partners said.