Travelers on the Kansas Turnpike will have new food options at four of the six service areas located on the 236-mile roadway.

In addition to changes at the Emporia Service Area, recent request for proposals from quick-service vendors also prompt the following changes:

• Towanda Service Area, (I-35/KTA mile marker 65) changes to a Subway and Dairy Queen
• Matfield Green Service Area (I-35/KTA mile marker 97) changes to a Subway and Dairy Queen
• Topeka Service Area (I-70/KTA mile marker 188) changes to a McDonald’s.

Existing restaurants at the Towanda, Matfield Green and Topeka Service Areas will close at 11 p.m. April 14, 2023 to accommodate remodeling of the restaurant space. Remodeling of the Emporia Service Area restaurant is currently underway as that restaurant closed in mid-March. Convenience stores at the affected service areas will temporarily provide additional food items during the remodel process.

Schedule permitting, the new restaurants will tentatively open as listed below.

• Emporia Service Area (Subway and Taco John’s): drive thru – mid-May; dine in – early June.
• Towanda and Matfield Green Service Areas (Subway and Dairy Queen): drive thru – late June; dine in – mid-July.
• Topeka Service Area (McDonald’s): drive thru – mid-August; dine in – early September.