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RoadChef

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RoadChef is the smallest of the 'big three' operators.

Company History

RoadChef set up in the 70s as a small but growing service area operator. By 1998 they had acquired three services from Blue Boar (including the oldest in the country, Watford Gap) and Take-a-Break's only, Strensham. Although this didn't push them too far forward on the league table, it did knock out two important names which means that today the operator is well known.

RoadChef Today

Their services usually take two forms; either small suburban services built by RoadChef or modern open ones which have been inherited and re-built or built by them in recent years.

RoadChef were trialling the idea of a 'RoadCard', a loyalty card for RoadChef users that could be used at Stafford (South) and Strensham. It is not known as to whether or not it is still going.

The headquarters used to be located in Barnwood, Gloucester, before moving to Norton Canes to save money. RoadChef have recently paired up with Costa Coffee to create 'RoadChef Costa Coffee'.

Following a successful trial at Strensham, involving new brands such as McDonalds and WH Smith, they are expected to refurbish all of their larger services and introduce these names over the next few months. Other operators are watching this very carefully.

RoadChef offer a free BT Openzone Wi-Fi service for all customers, something which has proven popular. RoadChef are well known amongst highway authorities for hanging banners and logos from their services aimed at passing motorists, something which, believe it or not, is illegal.

Logo History

As far as logos go, RoadChef have always stuck to writing 'RoadChef' on a sign in red. Some time around the turn of the millennium they introduced the slightly more relaxed and stylish logo (see below), and before then they used the slightly funkier 80s logo pictured to the right.

RoadChef, in line with the other operators, changed their logo so that it read 'RoadChef Costa Coffee' on the headboard on signs for their services. Part of the trial at Strensham involved making the headboard read 'McDonalds Costa', something which could soon become common at motorway services.

Official website: Visit RoadChef's official website
Acquired by: Delek Group
Chief executive: Simon Turl
Headquarters address: RoadChef Motorways Ltd, RoadChef House, Norton Canes [Motorway Services], Betty's Lane, Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 9UX [map]
Phone number: 01543 272566

Facilities

RoadChef's facilities include:

General: Cash Machine, Picnic Tables, Pay Phones, Local Information, BT Openzone, Showers
Food/Drink: Costa Coffee, Wimpy, McDonalds, Costa Coffee, Soho Coffee Company, RestBite, Pizza Hut, Hot Food Company, O'Briens, Coffee Republic
Shopping: Fonebitz, Ladbrokes, WH Smith, reStore
Fuel: Shell, BP, Esso, Texaco, Total
Motel: Premier Inn

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Photos

Click on a photo to view the full size. If you have a photo, why not upload it? It's never too late to get your name in the limelight.

	Sandbach is one of RoadChef's oldest services, but it's recently been refurbished. Before then it was chosen as the second worst in Europe. Photo taken whilst travelling southbound in 2007.
	An example of one of their suburban services at Tibshelf. There is normally an entrance at either end, one for cars, one for coaches. Photo taken whilst travelling northbound in 2005 by 'Two Chevrons Apart'.
	Inside the main corridor at Tibshelf, and it's clear that there isn't much room to play with. Photo taken whilst travelling northbound in 2005 by 'Two Chevrons Apart'.
	Until recently Norton Canes were our newest services, and they've certainly made an effort to make it look modern. Photo taken in 2007.
	Inside, and despite it being so open you're still trampling on stock. Photo taken in 2007.
	The Premier Inn at Norton Canes. Photo taken in 2007.
	Watford Gap on the M1 is our oldest service area and it was opened by Blue Boar, with RoadChef inheriting it in 1998. Despite it being completley re-built in the 80s and refurbished several times since, there's something about it which makes you think 'this site was just a test'. The services that followed, Welcome Break's Newport Pagnell are very different. Photo taken whilst travelling northbound in 2005 by 'Two Chevrons Apart'.
	Inside, and that feeling remains. I like the branded 'RoadChef' bins! Photo taken whilst travelling northbound in 2005 by 'Two Chevrons Apart'.

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RoadChef Services

The following sites are run by RoadChef:

• Annandale Water (A74(M))
• Bothwell (M74) (southbound only)
• Chester (M56)
• Clacket Lane (M25)
• Durham (A1(M))
• Hamilton (M74) (northbound only)
• Killington Lake (M6) (southbound only)
• Maidstone (M20)
• Northampton (M1/A43)
• Norton Canes (M6 Toll)
• Pont Abraham (M4)
• Rownhams (M27)
• Sandbach (M6)
• Sedgemoor (South) (M5) (southbound only)
• Stafford (South) (M6) (southbound only)
• Strensham (M5)
• Taunton Deane (M5)
• Tibshelf (M1)
• Watford Gap (M1)
• Winchester (M3)

The following services were owned by RoadChef:

• Heart of Scotland (M8)

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Comments and Reviews	Showing the most recent responses only: for the full thread and the ability to edit your own posts, you need to view the topic in the forums.
Author: Message: Anonymous Advice to Coach company Director. E mail Roadchef the dates of your tours, as most services are very quiet at night, it would be of benefit to your passengers and Roadchef, (they can staff the site, and re jig breaks hence your passengers will get better service) Roadchef have a Coach Support Team - Contact Suzi Morrice Advice to Coach company Director. E mail Roadchef the dates of your tours, as most services are very quiet at night, it would be of benefit to your passengers and Roadchef, (they can staff the site, and re jig breaks hence your passengers will get better service) Roadchef have a Coach Support Team - Contact Suzi Morrice Posted: 27 Oct 2008, 14:10 Anonymous Coach Company Director Nottingham Maidstone Services M20 Jct 8. Every 2wks Calais Cite Europe Shoppers (Full) bring Approx 1200 passengers to the Maidstone services a year. The Services are really the last stop before heading across the Border and the first one coming back. We have arrived at various times 1am to 3am the Roadchef is open for snacks and drinks 24hrs a day. This is NOT this case 25th October 2008 we arrived again to find the staff doing the snacks had shut shop for a break this is now the Third time travelling at various times that they have just gone for a break. It needs to be noted and dealt with as we couldn't afford to lose 1200 customers a year. The good side toilets are clean. we will be arriving again on the 8th November 2008 between hrs of 1am & 3am we will see. Alternative for our business MOTO Thurrock Services. Coach Company Director Nottingham Maidstone Services M20 Jct 8. Every 2wks Calais Cite Europe Shoppers (Full) bring Approx 1200 passengers to the Maidstone services a year. The Services are really the last stop before heading across the Border and the first one coming back. We have arrived at various times 1am to 3am the Roadchef is open for snacks and drinks 24hrs a day. This is NOT this case 25th October 2008 we arrived again to find the staff doing the snacks had shut shop for a break this is now the Third time travelling at various times that they have just gone for a break. It needs to be noted and dealt with as we couldn't afford to lose 1200 customers a year. The good side toilets are clean. we will be arriving again on the 8th November 2008 between hrs of 1am & 3am we will see. Alternative for our business MOTO Thurrock Services. Posted: 25 Oct 2008, 11:51 Anonymous Prices in Costa Coffee are wildly inflated for no good reason. Cheapest sandwich (Egg and cress) was £3.25 - other fillings all £4.25. In central london these same items would cost approx 60% of that. Why? Alas, classic example of 'Rip off Britain' Prices in Costa Coffee are wildly inflated for no good reason. Cheapest sandwich (Egg and cress) was £3.25 - other fillings all £4.25. In central london these same items would cost approx 60% of that. Why? Alas, classic example of 'Rip off Britain' :-( Posted: 16 Sep 2008, 12:27 airborne The quality of you coffee leaves a lot to be desired. You forgot to any arabica bean in with the robusta. Producing a tasteless adourless cup of black water and have the ordacity to charge £2.40. When we burnt the beans at Lyons they were better tasteing tha yours. I wont be stopping at Costa Coffe again The quality of you coffee leaves a lot to be desired. You forgot to any arabica bean in with the robusta. Producing a tasteless adourless cup of black water and have the ordacity to charge £2.40. When we burnt the beans at Lyons they were better tasteing tha yours. I wont be stopping at Costa Coffe again Posted: 06 May 2008, 16:43 Anonymous Watford Gap Was ran by Blue Boar Watford Gap Was ran by Blue Boar Posted: 28 Mar 2006, 21:37 Johnny MSAman wrote: A question: When the first MSA was opened (Roadchef's Watford Gap) who owned it? Blue Boar, who becamse part of Roadchef in 1998. [quote="MSAman"]A question: When the first MSA was opened (Roadchef's Watford Gap) who owned it?[/quote] Blue Boar, who becamse part of Roadchef in 1998. Posted: 26 Oct 2005, 10:03 MSAman A question: When the first MSA was opened (Roadchef's Watford Gap) who owned it? A question: When the first MSA was opened (Roadchef's Watford Gap) who owned it? Posted: 25 Oct 2005, 21:03 Admin Post your comments and reviews for RoadChef here, or click here to return to the Operators section. Post your comments and reviews for RoadChef here, or click [url=http://motorwayservicesonline.co.uk/operators/roadchef/]here[/url] to return to the Operators section. Posted: 21 Oct 2005, 13:00
Showing the most recent responses only: for the full thread and the ability to edit your own posts, you need to view the topic in the forums.

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With thanks to the users 'sockin' and 'Roadhog_001' for the headquarters information.

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