Trucking news and briefs for November 12, 2025:
- Outside-the-box truck stop evicted from its location in Texas.
- Boat haulers, take heed: Draft legislation to mandate cleaning of watercraft before transport in discussion next week.
- New "Military Friendly Employer" designation for truck stop chain.
Truckers Paradise, marketed as high-quality concierge service for truck drivers, closes doors officially
After reports of staff going unpaid and owners' funding difficulties surfaced in September, the Truckers Paradise truck stop in Gainesville, Texas, has officially closed up shop. That's according to a message from Truckers Paradise CEO Dean Ash now posted to the Truckers Paradise website.
"Despite our passion and dedication, unexpected delays and cost overruns created challenges that could not be overcome," Ash said in the message. "The landlord acted appropriately when the company was unable to meet its obligations."
In other words, according to local reporting from KXII in Sherman, Texas, the Truckers Paradise stop was evicted. It's a quick end for a business that opened its doors in June this year without self-serve fuel pumps but promising amenities with appeal to many, including:
- Mobile fueling dispatched to the driver wherever they parked.
- Dining options and what CEO Ash called “five-star hotel-quality ... showers and restrooms.”
- A couple hundred free pull-through parking spots.
Likewise, Ash stressed an aim to give drivers back just as much enjoyment of their off time as is possible over-the-road. Yet since September, employee-compensation issues persisted, according to KXII, leading directly to the eviction this past Friday.
[Related: Truckers Paradise staff reportedly facing payroll delays]
Ash's message posted to the truck stop's website follows:
Truckers Paradise was founded with a simple but powerful belief: truck drivers deserve to be treated like royalty. Every day, truckers make incredible sacrifices -- spending long stretches away from family, facing life-threatening hazards, and enduring health challenges -- all to keep our country moving forward.
Despite our passion and dedication, unexpected delays and cost overruns created challenges that could not be overcome. The landlord acted appropriately when the company was unable to meet its obligations.
We are deeply grateful for the support and encouragement we’ve received from the Gainesville community, local businesses, and the many people who believed in the vision of Truckers Paradise. Your kindness, understanding, and enthusiasm meant the world to us.
I also want to express my sincere appreciation to the leaders of the City of Gainesville, who consistently demonstrated professionalism and excellence. I remain hopeful for the continued growth and success of the mall and the entire Gainesville area.
Most importantly, I want to thank every trucker who stopped by, shared a story, or reminded us why this dream mattered. Hearing how Truckers Paradise made an impact on your lives has been the greatest reward of all.
Boat haulers invited to contribute to draft language for potential watercraft-haul legislation
Lisa DeBruyckere, contractor for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, alerted Overdrive to an upcoming online seminar event boat haulers may be interested in attending. It's aimed at drafting language for potential national legislation to mandate that all transported watercraft are hauled Clean, Drained, and Dry "to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species," she said.
- The interactive discussion will be held online Nov. 19, 2025, at 11 a.m. Central.
- Interested truckers can register to take part in the virtual session via this link.
The Clean, Drain, Dry slogan is part of the fisheries commission's marketing campaign to boat haulers to encourage diligent inspection procedures prior to moving watercraft over-the-road. In 2021, as DeBruyckere wrote in a story on Overdrive, the commission launched a toll-free "Call Before You Haul" hotline to potentially schedule a free inspection prior to any move -- and, if necessary, complimentary decontamination.
As DeBruyckere wrote, use of the hotline could avoid fines, delays, and likewise the key problem at hand -- the spread of those invasive species. Though direction of the legislation is unclear, a new mandate for transporters might up the ante on truckers to be certain watercraft are clear.
To take part in the discussion around legislation language, interested truckers can register to attend via this link. The flyer for the event offering some details follows.
[Related: Hotline offers pre-trip help to truckers hauling watercraft]
Love’s gets nod as a 2026 'Military Friendly Employer'
The Love's Travel Stops network of truck stops announced it's been honored as a 2025 "Military Friendly Employer" in the Silver category by the Military Friendly organization, rating employers on their service to veterans since 2003.
Love’s, the company said, was shaped by values and experiences of its late founder, Tom Love, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Discipline, resilience and sense of duty: all were qualities Love hoped to make cornerstones of the company’s culture.
Love’s invests in programs and initiatives that help veterans and military spouses build rewarding careers and thrive in civilian life, the company said. That's reflected in hiring and recruiting practices, career development opportunities, its veteran’s employee resources group and ongoing outreach efforts through partnerships and employee volunteer work. Organizations among partners include Operation Homefront, Cameron-Brooks, Recruit Military, TAPs and the Dale K. Graham Veterans Foundation.
The Military Friendly Employer designation is awarded to organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to military inclusion and veteran support. Institutions earning the designation are evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey.
[Related: How military service set these trucking entrepreneurs straight on course to success]
Learn more about the Military Friendly® Employer program and see the full list of recognized organizations at https://www.militaryfriendly.com.
