TULSA, Okla. -- QuikTrip Corp. is washing its hands of the car wash business after a two-year trial. The convenience store chain has sold its three drive-thru car washes to Zip’s Car Wash of Jonesboro, Ark., the Tulsa-based company confirmed Tuesday.

“We always wanted to test car washes, and they were successful, but the return on investment is better spent on stores,” said spokesperson Mike Thornbrugh.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Assumes no divestitures or other major concessions as a result of any antitrust settlement, the new merged entity of Flying J and Pilot Travel Centers will have about 600 locations, of which about 500 will be operated by the company and 318 will be owned by the company. It will be the largest truck stop/travel center in the country and will have a 20% market share of the on-road diesel market.

Issues of concern, however, are the high level of debt, the outlook for the trucking industry, the volatility of fuel prices and the integration of the two companies’ operations and different cultures.

VICKSBURG, Miss. -- While waiting to pay for her soda at a local gas station, Ami Winn read a sign asking for her signature, and she obliged because, she said, she understands there is an issue at hand. Credit cards are a convenience for customers, but not for convenience stores that must pay fees not required when customers pay cash.

So Winn signed, joining others nationwide supporting the c-store industry’s fight against credit-card companies.