Survey rates van operator preferences in 16 categories, from truck stops to music
September 13, 2005
EVANSVILLE, Ind. Meals on the go are a fact of life for busy truck drivers. But a recent survey by Atlas Van Lines shows more Atlas van operators are trading in burgers and fries for healthier fare. In the 2005 "King of the Road" Atlas van operator survey, 26 percent of respondents said they preferred SUBWAY Restaurants, edging out Wendy's and Kentucky Fried Chicken - perennial favorites - by 7 and 9 percent respectively. SUBWAY Restaurants rocketed to the top of Atlas' fast food chart this year after earning only 5 percent of the vote in 2003 and 2 percent in 2004.
"Our annual survey is designed to be a fun way to show emerging trends and preferences on the driving side of the relocation industry. These are the opinions of an extremely hard working group of men and women," says Greg Hoover, Atlas senior vice president and chief marketing officer. "I think when you look at trends toward healthy eating, Subway makes a lot of sense."
Atlas Van Lines - the nation's second largest van line - announces the results of its annual "King of the Road" survey each September during ROAD Day, an Atlas celebration to thank its 3,300 van operators for the countless hours they spend on the road transporting the possessions of Atlas' corporate and residential customers. This year, those possessions included two bronze Ming Dynasty lions, a 6,000-pound rock collection, a moon rover and giant computerized insects.
This year, the 18th Annual ROAD Day will be celebrated Sept. 13 at nearly 200 participating Atlas agencies throughout the United States and Canada.
The "King of the Road" survey asks van operators to weigh in on everything from antacids and motor oil to favorite radio stations, tractors and truck stops. Here are some survey highlights:
Interstate 10 in Texas was voted the safest highway in the U.S.
Interstate 70 in Colorado was voted the most scenic stretch of U.S. highway
Country music, followed closely by classic '60s, '70s and '80s music are the favorite entertainment while on the road
Tractors made by Kenworth were voted the best by 37 percent of van operators for the third consecutive year
Atlas Van Lines is the largest subsidiary of Atlas World Group, an Evansville, Ind.-based company that posted record revenues of $860 million in 2004. Atlas World Group companies employ more than 700 people throughout North America. More than 600 Atlas agents in the United States and Canada specialize in corporate employee relocation and in the transportation of high-value items such as electronics, fine art and new fixtures and furniture.