I don't know if the news has been reported nationally, but here in Knoxville it has been reported Pilot and Flying J will merge.
Between the two companies they will have 550 locations and will be the largest travel center company by far.
I don't see this as good news. Where the two have locations in close proximity I see them consolidating locations, and the wait at some fuel islands will grow longer. Flying J has always been cheaper than Pilot, but you can bet Pilot will not be lowering its prices and Flying J will be raising theirs.
The merger has some issues because Flying J is in bankruptcy, and the two companies had been in a lawsuit a couple of years ago and the merger impacts the settlement. Flying J travel centers will be part of the deal, but its refinery operations, and aviation department will not be. The Ogden Utah headquarters of Flying J are included, but it will relocate its management of the company to Knoxville, where Pilot is headquartered.