Owners of shuttered Kansas truck stop restaurant are urgently looking for new operator

The truckers accustomed to stopping for chicken fried steak at the Newell Travel Center in Newton are not happy, says one of the center’s owners.

Nearly four weeks ago, the longtime restaurant at the Pilot/Flying J truck stop, which sits just off I-135 at 200 Manchester Ave., suddenly closed. Charlie’s had operated since the truck stop opened in 1981, and in addition to feeding those traveling across the state, it was the site of many post football game meals, college study breaks and after-church pancakes.

But the truckers, so far, seem to miss having the restaurant the most, said Tariq Butt, who is co-owner and operational partner of the travel center. Now, he’s urgently looking for someone new to operate it.

The restaurant’s previous operators, who were on a month-to-month lease, have vacated the large restaurant space for “personal reasons,” a manager with the truck stop said.

Now, Butt wants local restaurateurs to know that it’s available for lease. The rent is $7,000 a month (plus utilities.)

“It has everything — whatever they’re looking for,” said Butt, who is based in Houston and also owns truck stops in Texas. “It’s a full restaurant. It’s been open forever.”

The owners want operators who will run a sit-down restaurant — not a fast-food operation. The old Charlie’s space has about 150 seats.

Butt said he also has office space for rent in the massive truck stop, and he’s even willing to let a different business owner lease and operate the truck stop’s hotel, which has 22 rooms on the second floor.

Anyone interested in taking over the restaurant or talking about the office space or motel should contact Butt at 512-767-3192.