Opened in the 50s in Gate City, Pilot Travel Centers now owned by Warren Buffett

A multi-billion-dollar business with roots in Southwest Virginia is now the sole property of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.

The Haslam family sold its remaining 20 percent of the Pilot Travel Center/Flying J franchise to the investment group earlier this month.

The initial deal Berkshire had with Pilot in 2017 gave them the first option to purchase the remaining shares. Pilot’s first station was built in Gate City in 1958.

It grew to the fifth-largest private company in the U.S. The SEC places that 20 percent share at $3.2 billion.

(IMAGE: Provided by Pilot/Flying J, Official media sources)