How Love’s Creates Fresh Food for Customers on the Go

Great food on the go is no longer just for road trips. Whether customers are traveling across the country, heading to work, dropping kids off at school or simply looking for a quick meal or snack, Love’s offers fresh, flavorful options designed to fit every lifestyle.

Behind many of Love’s fresh food offerings is the company’s Culinary Innovation Center (CIC) at Love’s headquarters in Oklahoma City. There, Love’s food experts study consumer trends, develop recipes and test new concepts designed to give customers convenient food that tastes good.

"We know that one in every three customers purchases a fresh food item at Love’s so we’re constantly looking for ways to make options that are delicious and accessible for them," said Greg Ekman, senior director of fresh kitchen strategy and growth for Love's. "Love's Culinary Innovation Center gives our team the opportunity to test new ideas, follow food trends and make sure the options we offer are both flavorful and practical for people on the go."

Love’s fresh food team develops sandwiches, salads, wraps and other options at the CIC before bringing them to its network of locations across the country. Recipes are carefully tested to ensure consistent ingredients, preparation methods, flavor and quality. These standards help ensure customers receive the same quality, flavor and experience at Love's locations across the country.

Fresh flavors keep customers coming back

Food preferences are constantly evolving, so Love’s regularly introduces items inspired by emerging flavor trends. Every two months, the fresh food team develops and tests limited-time products at the CIC before bringing them to customers. According to a 2026 Datassential report, 50% of consumers who try a new product in-store do so because it’s new and interesting or available for a limited time. Love’s uses insights like this to create fresh, trend-forward options that give customers a reason to explore something different.

One current trend is bold, Southwest-inspired flavor. Through October, customers can try two limited-time offerings:

• Steak & Queso Taco:Ancho-rubbed steak, queso jack sauce, shredded cheese, and corn and black bean salsa.
• Steak & Queso Philly:Ancho-rubbed steak, queso jack sauce, pepper jack cheese, roasted onions and peppers on a soft hoagie roll.

"We want customers to have a reason to come inside Love's and have the option to try something new or get something that's tried and true," said Ekman. "Love's limited-time offerings let us bring on-trend flavors to the menu while giving customers a reason to stop by beyond fueling up. We want to create new fans of the brand and give established customers more reasons to visit."

Something for every customer

Not everyone stopping at Love’s is looking for the same thing. A commuter may want a quick breakfast. A student may need a snack between classes. A local worker may be looking for lunch, while a road-tripper may want a hearty meal before getting back on the highway.

Love’s offers a variety of fresh food options, including breakfast items, sandwiches, salads, wraps, diet-specific choices, fresh fruit and grab-and-go snacks. Ingredient information is provided on packaging to help customers make choices based on their individual preferences and needs.

Love's goal is simple: provide fresh, convenient food options that fit seamlessly into customers' daily routines, whether they're traveling across the country or across town.

The days when a gas station meant choosing between a candy bar and a bag of chips are long gone - at least at Love's. The company is investing in food innovation to give customers more choices, more variety and more reasons to stop.

From the CIC in Oklahoma City to Love’s locations nationwide, fresh food is becoming an important part of the Love’s experience, whether customers are traveling 1,000 miles or simply driving across town.

At Love’s, the next meal might be closer - and tastier - than you think.

Click here to see a behind-the-scenes video.

About Love’s

Love's has been fueling customers' journeys since 1964. Innovation and perseverance continue to lead the way for the family-owned and-operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City with nearly 40,000 team members in North America and Europe. The company's core business is travel stops and convenience stores with 681 locations in 42 states. Love's continues its commitment to offer products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, four-wheel customers, RVers, alternative fuel and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities Love's serves and maintaining an inclusive workplace are hallmarks of the company's award-winning culture. To find out more about Love's, follow us on social or apply for a job, click here.