KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Finally! Experience a great cup of coffee on the interstate!

Pilot Travel Centers, LLC, the largest independent travel center operator in America, has dramatically improved the interstate coffee experience by introducing two new premium blends: 100% Colombian Coffee and 100% Arabica Dark Roast Coffee.

"This kind of high quality coffee previously was found only in specialty outlets," said Ken Parent, Pilot's senior vice president of operations. "We have invested many hours in research and development to find the best coffee and the best program to offer our customers."

In its new premium blends, Parent said Pilot will increase by 50 percent the amount of coffee grounds used to brew each cup of coffee. This helps create a coffee that is both rich and sophisticated. But the price of Pilot's coffee will not change.

"Americans, for years, have gotten used to drinking weak, bitter coffee," Parent said. "But recently, premium brands like Starbucks have introduced us to the taste of truly great coffee. This is the standard Pilot will emulate."

After spending months visiting coffee roasters and suppliers around the country seeking the best tasting coffee, Pilot settled on a partnership with Sara Lee in Chicago to provide its premium coffee blends.

The 100 percent Colombian specialty coffee is the perfect choice for those seeking the smoothest cup of coffee. Only top quality will be present in the blend of beans used for this kind of Pilot coffee.

One hundred percent Arabica Dark Roast Coffee will feature certified Arabica beans, which are grown at high altitudes and deliver a powerful, richer, more flavorful coffee. "It's the right choice for customers seeking a bold taste from their coffee," Parent said. "These beans are known to be exotic and sophisticated."

Parent said Pilot's new coffee program goes well beyond the choice of high quality beans and increased quantity of coffee grounds.

It also involves new operational controls over water temperature, brew times, and coffee handling procedures.

"We will ensure that coffee is brewed every 60 minutes, guaranteeing all Pilot customers fresh hot coffee," Parent said. Pilot is promoting the new coffee with the slogan "Good to Go." "This is the perfect slogan for our coffee," Parent said. "The word 'good' denotes quality and the focus on the word 'go' indicates speed, which is extremely valuable to our customers."

What about those folks who are big fans of Pilot's former coffee? Not to worry. "Our old coffee will remain the same and will be called House Blend," Parent said. Decaffeinated coffee also will continue to be available.

Pilot's goal is to provide the highest quality coffee experience available both in East Tennessee at its convenience stores and nationally at its interstate-based travel centers.

Pilot Travel Centers LLC operates 260 travel centers in 38 states and will license 12 locations throughout Kansas, Montana, Nebraska and Iowa effective Feb. 1, 2005. The company employs approximately 13,000 people.