Motorway Services
Moto logo
Moto website

Moto operates 41 sites

Typical brands

  • Costa Coffee
  • Burger King
  • WHSmith
  • Greggs
  • Travelodge
  • Krispy Kreme
  • M&S Food
  • f'real Milkshakes
  • M&S Coffee to Go
  • KFC

Other brands

  • Pret A Manger
  • Phone Tech
  • WYE
  • Chow
  • M&S Simply Food
  • Chopstix Noodle Bar

Typical brands are those found at the majority of Moto service areas. Other brands are less common, and may only be at one or two sites.

Note that where a service area comprises two separate inline facilities on opposite sides of the road, a brand may only be available on one side rather than both.

Service areas run by Moto

Moto: Britain's Biggest Motorway Service Operator

Moto is the largest motorway service area business in the UK. It serves more than 130 million visitors a year across 70 sites, all open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Its sites host over 300 branded restaurants, shops and forecourts, alongside the parking, showers and toilets that long-distance drivers rely on.

From Granada to Moto

Moto's service areas date back to 1965, when they were run under the Granada name. On 23 May 2001, 47 Granada sites were rebranded as Moto. Many of the buildings have been extended and updated repeatedly since then, which is why the quality of individual sites can vary quite a bit.

Ownership and results

Moto has been jointly owned by CVC Capital Partners and the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) since 2015, and in 2024 reports suggested the owners were preparing a sale. The business is a substantial one. Its revenue grew to more than £1.1 billion in 2025, with PBITDA of £141.3 million. It has also been named in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work for three years running, from 2024 to 2026.

What's on offer

Like its rivals, Moto fills its sites with familiar high-street names rather than relying on its own catering. Partners include Marks & Spencer, Pret A Manger, Greggs, Costa Coffee, Burger King, WHSmith, KFC and BP. The company has also been adding to its network. Sawtry, which opened on 31 March 2025, is the most recent new motorway service area in the UK.

Leading on EV charging

Moto describes itself as the leading provider of ultra-rapid EV charging on the UK motorway network, with over 1,000 ultra-rapid bays. Much of this has been delivered with GRIDSERVE through its "Electric Super Hub" sites. At Lymm on the M6, a hub of 24 chargers, each capable of 400kW, can add up to 100 miles of range in under 10 minutes. Exeter on the M5 has gone further. A GRIDSERVE electric HGV charging hub opened there in January 2026, and 24 more Moto Charge bays were added in July 2026. That made it the first motorway service area in the country with more than 100 EV charging bays.

Looking after HGV drivers

Lorry drivers are a big part of the motorway customer base, and Moto has been investing in their facilities. At Stafford on the M6, for example, it added 24 extra HGV parking spaces in April 2025, along with high-security fencing and extra CCTV cameras.

The road ahead

With its scale, strong financial results and a large charging network already in place, Moto is well placed for the shift to electric driving. The challenge will be bringing its older sites up to the standard of its newest ones.

Sources

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