Among Italians and foreigners alike, Autogrill has become a proprietary eponym synonymous with all Italian highway rest stops. The Autogrill brand accounts for 65 percent of rest stops in Italy, while its closest competitors Chef Express and Sarni rank at distant second and third place with around 6 percent of the market each.

Autogrills are beloved, especially by American visitors to Italy who praise their food options as superior to their U.S. counterparts. There are a handful of passable food options at Autogrills — especially the meat and vegetable dishes served in the buffet areas — but generally speaking, the high opinion of this massive brand is completely overblown. Autogrills are perceived as purveyors of delicious food, while in reality, the company relies largely on factory-made products to satisfy the demand for their many outlets. Much of what they serve is simply effectively marketed industrial food, and much of what’s good about it is that it’s a convenient stop on a road trip.