Pilot Honors 2025 Road Warrior Champion
Pilot, the nation’s largest travel center, recently recognized driver Stacy Batiste from Lafayette, Louisiana as its 2025 Road Warrior champion. Batiste, a Marine Corps veteran who has driven more than 5.1 million accident-free miles over a 33-year career, was awarded the top prize: a custom-built Kenworth truck (constructed by the Diesel Bros) plus a $50,000 cash prize. The award is Pilot’s largest-ever for the Road Warrior contest, which honors professional drivers for their dedication, safety record, and commitment to keeping North America moving.
In addition to the grand winner, Pilot surprised a second-place recipient, Bobby Peeker of Woodruff, South Carolina, with a $10,000 cash prize and a $25,000 donation in his name to a veterans-charity of his choice. Peeker, also a Marine Corps veteran and a driver boasting over one million accident-free miles, is active in volunteer work, including supporting the military community and participating in truck-shows that benefit the Special Olympics.
Pilot emphasizes that the Road Warrior contest has been running for over a decade, showcasing more than 30 drivers who “go the extra mile” in their work. The company uses the program to spotlight and show appreciation for the professional drivers whose efforts underpin logistics and supply-chains across the continent.
Learn more here.
HTeaO Raises $150K for Breast Cancer Initiative
Throughout October, the iced-tea franchise HTeaO ran its annual Round-Up campaign across all locations, inviting customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to the Ryan Palmer Foundation’s Breast Cancer Initiative. 100 % of the donated funds are allocated to creating Hope Kits for breast-cancer patients undergoing treatment—kits that include items such as fuzzy socks, a tumbler, tea, lip balm, unscented lotion, a journal, and an inspirational bracelet.
According to the announcement, thanks to growing participation and store count, HTeaO raised over $150,000 in the most recent campaign, marking a significant jump from previous years. “To raise more this year than ever before speaks volumes about the strength of our communities and the kindness of the people who visit our stores every day,” Justin Howe, co-founder and CEO of HTeaO said.
The partnership reflects HTeaO’s socially responsible ethos, framed in the brand’s “Brewing Purpose” initiative, while the Ryan Palmer Foundation’s Breast Cancer Initiative was founded by professional golfer Ryan Palmer and has supported hundreds of patients through early-detection screenings and comfort-kits.
Learn more here.
Sweetgreen Opens First Drive-Thru Infinite Kitchen
Sweetgreen has announced the opening of its first-ever Infinite Kitchen sweetlane restaurant in Costa Mesa, California, marking a major step in the brand’s evolution of fast food. The new location blends Sweetgreen’s signature hospitality with the efficiency of its automated Infinite Kitchen technology and introduces a drive-up “sweetlane” for digital customers. Set to open November 18, the restaurant offers both dine-in and drive-thru options, providing greater convenience for guests while maintaining the brand’s focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients.
The sweetlane concept, first piloted in 2022, was designed to simplify the pickup process for customers ordering through Sweetgreen’s digital platforms. With more than one-third of the company’s orders now coming through its app or website, the Costa Mesa opening reinforces Sweetgreen’s commitment to a seamless, digitally enabled guest experience. Customers can place their orders in advance and retrieve them quickly through the drive-thru, where team members hand off freshly prepared meals without customers ever leaving their cars.
Beyond its operational innovations, the new location debuts Sweetgreen’s Late Fall Menu, featuring dishes like the Garlic Parm Cauli Bowl and Chicken Cauli Plate. The launch also follows the rollout of the brand’s new macronutrient tracking tool, which lets guests view protein, carb, and fat details and customize their meals accordingly.
Learn more here.