Key Points
- Dolly Parton and the Tennessean Travel Stop announce partnership to rebrand and expand travel stops along key travel corridors.
- Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop aims to create a “home away from home” for all travelers on the road.
- The flagship location remains open during renovations, with the official opening expected by summer 2026 and expansion plans to come after.
Dolly Parton is letting her decades of touring inspire a new business venture that almost anyone riding on two (or more) wheels will appreciate.
The 10-time Grammy winner is best known for her incredible vocal talent, acting career and philanthropy, but she’s also got a sweet spot for world-class travel experiences (she is the Dollywood namesake, after all).
Even after all these years and a recent health scare, the 79-year-old remains a very busy lady. Between her red-hot entertainment career (which includes maintaining her famous theme park in Tennessee), her popular Duncan Hines baking mix line, sporadic branded collaborations, and now a new chain of travel stops, it seems she’s working a whole lot more than just “9 to 5.”
Dolly Parton Reveals Plans for Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop Chain
Parton and the team behind the Tennessean Travel Stop recently announced that they’ve entered into a strategic partnership that will “rebrand and revitalize” the flagship location (3686 Pulaski Hwy in Cornersville, Tenn.) and expand it with additional locations across “key travel corridors” in the coming years, rivaling travel centers like Buc-ee’s, Love’s and Pilot.
“I have spent the bulk of my life on the road, and more specifically on a bus,” the country superstar shared in a statement published online. “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.”
Dolly’s Tennessean Travel Stop is being touted as “more than a place to refuel,” but a place to “recharge the spirit” and a “‘home away from home’ for truck drivers, travelers, and locals alike.
While a majority of the details remain under tight lock and key until the official unveiling (who doesn’t love a good surprise?!), the process of transforming the flagship into the start of Dolly’sTennessean Travel Stops has already begun, and it’s “setting the stage for expansion.”
According to the announcement, the flagship store will remain open while undergoing renovations that will introduce an “evolved” travel experience with modern amenities, curated dining, and authentic regional retail, all in line with the “approachable comfort” travelers have come to expect from the brand.
“This new partnership allows us to carry that legacy forward in a way that celebrates everything special about Tennessee,” Gregory H. Sachs, chairman/CEO of the Tennessean Travel Stop and Sachs Capital Group, added. “Together with Dolly and her team, we’re reimagining what a travel stop can be—transforming it into a warm, inviting destination where everyone feels welcome to slow down, kick up their feet, and stay awhile.”
An official opening day has not yet been announced, but it’s expected to hold a ceremony sometime during summer 2026.
