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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 30, 2025 |
Portland, ME — The Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) would like to clarify recent public discussion regarding potential restaurant offerings at Turnpike service plazas.
We are in the very beginning stages of renegotiating the terms of our contract with Applegreen, the vendor that currently operates all five of Maine’s service plazas. No formal discussions have occurred, nor have any decisions been made about which restaurant brands will ultimately be located at these sites.
Applegreen holds licensing agreements with a wide range of national franchises — which does include Chick-fil-A. However, they also have licensing agreements with Shake Shack, Subway, Panda Express, Popeyes, Panera, Sbarro, Roy Rogers, and others. As part of the process, Applegreen will bring forward a proposal with what they believe to be a good fit for this region, and the Maine Turnpike Authority will review that proposal carefully.
“There are many possibilities for new restaurants that could go into the service plazas on the Maine Turnpike,” said Executive Director Andre Briere. “We are very early in the process, and many vendors and factors are being considered.”
“We are committed to ensuring that any vendors operating on the Turnpike reflect Maine’s values, with a strong commitment to respect for all,” Briere added. “We also recognize the importance of offering healthy meal options and providing accommodations for travelers with food allergies and dietary restrictions. These considerations will be an essential part of the evaluation process.”
We appreciate the public’s interest and will provide updates as the process moves forward.
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