Judy Love: A Legacy Built on Hard Work and Family

Judy Love’s name is synonymous with one of the most successful and enduring family-run businesses in America. Together with her late husband, Tom Love, she founded Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, a company that has become a staple for travelers across the United States. Established in 1964, Love’s began as a small, humble venture in Watonga, Oklahoma, and has grown into a nationwide network of more than 640 truck stops and convenience stores, generating revenues of approximately $24 billion annually. Judy’s journey from managing the books in the early days to becoming a matriarch of a thriving family business is a testament to her resilience, determination, and vision.

Judy Love was born and raised in Oklahoma, and her roots in the state played a significant role in shaping her values and work ethic. In the early 1960s, she and her husband Tom, who passed away in 2023, took the first step toward building their future together when they leased their first gas station in Watonga, Oklahoma, with a modest loan of $5,000 from Tom’s parents. While the loan might have been small, it represented a significant investment in their dreams of creating a successful business. Initially, Judy kept the books for the business, running the operations from behind the scenes while Tom focused on the physical aspects of the truck stop. This partnership was not just personal but also professional, with both partners contributing to the company’s growth in different ways.

In the early days of the company, Judy was deeply involved in the day-to-day operations. She oversaw the financial aspects of the business, ensuring that the books were balanced and the company’s expenses were managed wisely. At the same time, she began to shape the culture and values of the company, emphasizing hard work, integrity, and customer service—principles that have remained a hallmark of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores to this day. However, as the company began to grow, Judy decided to return to college in 1975 to further her education, believing that she could better contribute to the business with a formal education.

Despite returning to college, Judy’s commitment to Love’s never wavered. She continued to support Tom in every way possible, always maintaining an active role in the company’s strategic decisions and operations. By 2014, when her sons Greg and Frank took on the role of co-CEOs, Judy had already been an integral part of Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores for decades. Her leadership and influence were felt across every aspect of the business, from the growth of the company to its expansion across 42 states. Today, Judy and her four children—Greg, Frank, and their siblings—own the company, continuing the legacy that she and Tom began more than 50 years ago.

The Love family’s involvement in the business has been a defining factor in the company’s success. Greg and Frank, who were named co-CEOs in 2014, represent the next generation of leadership at Love’s. Under their guidance, the company has continued to expand and modernize, maintaining its position as one of the most successful and well-respected truck stop chains in the country. Judy’s children are deeply committed to maintaining the values and principles that their parents instilled in the business while also embracing innovation and growth. The Love family’s stewardship of the business has ensured that Love’s remains a family-oriented, customer-focused company with an eye on the future.

Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores has grown into an industry leader, with over 640 locations in 42 states. The company offers a wide range of services to travelers, including fueling stations, restaurants, convenience stores, and rest areas. Love’s has become known for its exceptional customer service, cleanliness, and convenience, which have earned it a loyal following among truck drivers and motorists alike. The company’s ability to adapt to changing market demands while maintaining its core values has played a crucial role in its success. Today, Love’s remains one of the largest private companies in the U.S., and it continues to expand its footprint, adding new locations and services to meet the needs of an ever-growing customer base.

While the company’s financial success is certainly impressive, Judy Love’s true legacy lies in the culture and values she helped to create. Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores is a family business, and Judy’s commitment to her family, her employees, and her customers has been central to the company’s continued growth. She has always been an advocate for the importance of family values in business and believes that fostering a positive work environment and building strong relationships with employees is key to long-term success. This philosophy has allowed Love’s to attract and retain dedicated employees who share the company’s commitment to excellence and customer service.

In addition to her work with Love’s, Judy Love is also known for her philanthropic efforts and her involvement in various charitable causes. Throughout her life, she and her family have supported a range of community-focused initiatives, particularly those that support education, healthcare, and veterans. Judy’s charitable work reflects her belief in giving back to the communities that have supported her and her business over the years. Whether through personal donations or through the Love family’s corporate giving, Judy has always prioritized helping others and making a positive impact on the world.

As the business continues to grow, Judy remains an influential figure within the company, providing guidance and wisdom to the next generation of leaders. While her role in the company has evolved over the years, her commitment to Love’s values and her dedication to her family’s legacy remain unchanged. Today, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores stands as a testament to her hard work, determination, and vision, and it continues to thrive under the leadership of her children, Greg and Frank.

Judy Love’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, dedication, and the strength of family. From the humble beginnings of a small gas station in Watonga, Oklahoma, to the creation of a nationwide business empire, Judy and her family have built a legacy that will endure for generations. As Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores continues to grow and evolve, the values that Judy and Tom instilled in the business will undoubtedly remain at the heart of the company, ensuring its continued success.