CStore Decisions’ 2026 Tech Awards: Pilot

Pilot made tech a priority this past year, updating its mobile app, modernizing the back office, expanding EV charging and more.

The digital space in the c-store sector is constantly progressing, updating and reshaping the customer and employee experience. A frontrunner in technological advancement, Pilot Co., which operates over 900 locations, is focusing on evolving its digital ecosystem through deeper integration, personalization and operational efficiency.

The travel center chain over the last year has enhanced its mobile app, redesigned its website, expanded its digital ordering capabilities and penned an agreement with a tech platform that will modernize its back office and point of sale (POS).

It also surpassed a milestone 250 electric vehicle (EV) charging locations across 40 states.

Tech innovation award

To acknowledge Pilot’s achievements in technological and digital innovation, CStore Decisions is recognizing the company with a 2026 Tech Innovation Award.

Pilot spent the past year advancing its digital offerings through efforts such as its redesigned website and revamped mobile app.

“Our digital advancements have been driven by two simple goals: creating exceptional experiences for all drivers and being the leading energy and experience provider people rely on,” said David Dawson, VP of retail and digital technology for Pilot.

The app and website are now part of a more intuitive, user-friendly and unified digital ecosystem. They were built on new, modern platforms to allow the company better flexibility to respond to customer needs more quickly. Added features include mobile ordering, streamlining navigation, real-time location information, and easier access to service availability such as amenities and fuel prices.

“Feedback has been strong from digital users, and the Pilot app continues to be quite popular with a 4.8 average rating from roughly 186,000 reviewers in the Apple App Store. Particularly around added value, convenience and seamlessness of reserving parking spaces, showers and more,” said Dawson. “Drivers have expressed appreciation for being able to plan stops in advance and reduce downtime in-store or on the lot while still getting the experience they rely on.”

Pilot has noticed pro drivers use the mobile fueling feature in the app to save time and simplify payment. They can get authorization to fuel, turn on the pump and get a digital receipt without having to swipe their card or see the cashier. They ensure they earn their loyalty points with each fill and can begin the process while sitting in their cab.

“The result is a more efficient operation and a better overall experience for guests,” Dawson added.

The tools have also helped Pilot’s teams operate more efficiently.

As for Pilot’s digital ordering capabilities, the company partnered with platforms such as DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats.

“At the same time, we’ve enhanced our own app experience, giving guests the ability to mobile order ahead for pickup at a nearby location. Together, these advancements are about meeting our guests where they are and providing a flexible, convenient experience,” explained Dawson.

Store technology upgrades

Pilot is also upgrading store technology for its owned and operated quick-service restaurant franchise locations to better align with its brand standards. It’s unlocking e-commerce platforms, kiosk ordering and improved kitchen management.

In addition to these initiatives, Pilot reached a five-year agreement with NCR Voyix to modernize and standardize the core technology powering the company’s retail and operational systems across the network — POS, back office, and integrated digital capabilities that support the customer experience and team member functions.

“For our guests, this means a more consistent, reliable and seamless experience across locations, from faster transactions to improved integration between in-store and digital touch points. For our team members, it simplifies operations by reducing system complexity and enabling more intuitive tools that support day-to-day workflows and reduce unnecessary tech-induced headaches,” said Dawson.

As Pilot looks to the second half of 2026 and beyond, it’s continuing to evolve its digital ecosystem through further enhancements to mobile ordering, expanded capabilities with the Pilot app and continued rollout of technologies supporting its EV charging network.

Pilot now has over 250 locations offering EV charging, most locations with four or more charging stalls.

“With our travel centers located just off major highways, our network enables longer road trips and helps relieve range anxiety for EV drivers,” said Dawson. “In addition to amenities like canopies, 24/7 monitoring and food on-site, our network consistently receives ratings over 9.4 on Plugshare.”

Ev charging expansion

The travel center chain plans to expand coverage across key routes while maintaining charging speed, uptime and integration with its broader travel center network.

Outside of this, Pilot is focusing on creating tools to improve in-store operations, including inventory management capabilities and better food production planning systems to reduce waste. The company also looks to improve upon tools to communicate with team members at travel centers to better forecasting, store operations and the overall customer experience.

Additionally, Pilot is integrating systems across the enterprise to improve data flow and decision-making.

“By connecting insights from across our network, we can better anticipate demand, optimize staffing and ensure product availability,” said Dawson.

Pilot sees technology becoming increasingly embedded across every aspect of the travel center experience.

“AI (artificial intelligence) and automation will play a significant role in enabling more predictive, responsive and value-adding systems,” said Dawson.

The chain’s teams are able to use AI to bring new features to market faster, and Pilot can equip its corporate staff with AI assistance to help them perform their day-to-day tasks faster.

Out of all its tech investments, Pilot is seeing the strongest return on investment in customer satisfaction.

“Our goal is to make investments that reduce friction in the store, at the pump and online — then, we lean on the exceptional experiences that our team members provide, combined with amenities to meet the needs of all drivers,” said Dawson.

These investments create operational efficiencies, such as digital ordering, integrated systems and data-driven tools that reduce time on administrative tasks, that have not previously been realized.

“All these together are helping us redefine what guests should expect when they stop with us,” Dawson said.