The Truck Stops Here

As soon as we read about Nisqually Markets' Ramen Go! Experience, we knew we had to have Sam Roark, director of retail operations for Nisqually Markets, on the podcast. Nisqually Markets has it all – innovative technology, experiential offerings, and good food. Listen in as Roark walks listeners through everything that makes Nisqually Markets so special.

This year, the NATSO Foundation is partnering with the nonprofit  Wreaths Across America (WAA)  in the nationwide Truckloads of Remembrance initiative . Through this initiative, the NATSO Foundation has joined WAA in raising awareness and support for the sponsorship of veterans' wreaths for placement by volunteers at Arlington National Cemetery as part of National Wreaths Across America Day – Satu...

At All American Truckers Paradise, they're setting a new bar for what a truck stop can be. Located on Interstate 35 in Gainesville, TX, the newly opened All American Truckers Paradise was designed with the trucker in mind.   Dean Ash, CEO of All American Trucker's Paradise, joined the NATSO Foundation's podcast to discuss the plethora of unique amenities, including soul food, no-wait mobile fuelin...

Ethanol has been around for a long time, but the incentives and the benefits are still going strong. Ginger Laidlaw, vice president of NATSO's Alternative Fuels Council, and Andrew Falco, market development & analytic manager for Growth Energy, offer their take on what should be considered if you're thinking about offering ethanol blends for the first time or becoming a new blender. They discussed...

Sohail Butt, CFO of University Korner, and his partners are building a cutting-edge truck stop on the I-80 corridor of Pennsylvania. The truck stop, expected to open at the end of 2024, will be a very forward-thinking, inclusive travel center heavily focused on professional driver well-being. From unique amenities like a Himalayan pink salt room and a contemplation room to specialized food offerin...

Have you ever wondered what it's like on a road trip with a professional truck driver? This episode of The Truck Stops Here podcast features a candid discussion with Lisa Mullings, President & CEO of NATSO, on her week-long ride-along trip with Jennifer Evans, a Werner truck driver. Mullings reveals insightful details about Jennifer's routine, safety checks, traffic challenges, and how she keeps f...

Valkyrie Musarra, COO of Bowlin Travel Centers, joins the podcast to share the fascinating history of Bowlin, their merchandising strategy, and how they create an immersive "treasure hunt" experience that keeps customers exploring their stores. Founded by Musarra's grandparents in 1912, Bowlin Travel Centers are much more than your typical truck stop. With ten locations spanning I-10 and I-40 in N...

Peter Rasmussen, founder and CEO of Convenience and Energy Advisors, joins the podcast to share the key components of successful loyalty programs including how to tailor rewards for professional drivers. Rasmussen and host Amy Toner also explore the role of AI in enhancing the customer experience and driving targeted offers, how small operators should tackle loyalty, and what to consider when choo...

RaceTrac is making major moves in the travel center industry. Nick LaFalce, RaceTrac's marketing manager, joins the podcast to share how RaceTrac is positioning the 90-year-old retail convenience chain's new travel center program for professional drivers and on-the-go travelers. LaFalce, Darren Schulte, NATSO's vice president, membership, and host Amy Toner talk loyalty, merchandising, driver appr...

It has been a minute since Darren Schulte, NATSO's vice president of membership, put on his futurist hat to help guide the travel center industry. In this episode, we cover groundbreaking trends, technological impacts, and the industry's competitive landscape. Discover how travel center operators are tackling these challenges and what industry changes could mean for their future. Tune in to learn...

Customer experience (CX) includes any interaction that customers have with a brand across all touch points. It can include the experience they have digitally, such as an app, through advertising at the pump or in the store. As convenience is growing and blurring with increased competition for truck stops and travel centers, a good customer experience is especially important. In this episode, Amy T...

Buying fuel is a complicated process, and determining the best approach helps truck stop and travel center operators increase profitability while minimizing risks. A self-diagnosed fuel nerd, Randy Grizzle, director, sales & marketing at TACenergy, joined the podcast to cover best practices in fuel buying that can help travel center owners navigate the complexities of the fuel market. Grizzle help...

Rob Poleki, CEO and Co-Founder of Washie, joined the NATSO Foundation's podcast to discuss his innovative company, which is behind the world's first smart, sanitizing toilet seat for public restrooms. NATSO Services annually studies professional drivers' stopping and buying behavior at truck stops and travel centers. In 2023, the research found that drivers' top factor in deciding whether to come...

Every summer families and RVers hit the road for summer vacations, looking to fuel quickly and get back on their way. Smart truck stop and travel centers will have something travelers need. Whether it is plush toys for kids, fresh food to stock the fridge, or RVer items such as toilet treatment, truck stops and travel centers should consider offering things geared toward summer travel. Dale Elks,...

FirstElement Fuel has created what it calls the world's first fast-fueling hydrogen fueling station. The station is capable of filling 200 trucks a day in just 10 minutes each using proprietary pump technology that enables the rapid fueling times. Frequent NATSO Foundation writer Mindy Long, owner at Mindy Long Freelance LLC, recently attended a FirstElement Fuel press conference. She joined host...

Naf Naf Grill is a fast-casual Middle Eastern concept that's on a mission to bring the best flavors of the Middle East to the masses in a simple, affordable, fast-casual setting. With a flexible layout, minimal SKUs and a category of food that appeals to both professional drivers and four-wheel customers, Naf Naf Grill found a great partner in Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores. "I give full cre...

In this episode, host Amy Toner is joined by LeeAnn Goheen, NATSO's senior director of government affairs, to discuss NATSO's Day on Capitol Hill, which will be held May 20 -22, 2024. They discuss the agenda, key policy issues—the biodiesel blenders tax credit and the funding of infrastructure and highway programs—and how travel center operators can get involved. Goheen emphasizes the importance o...

Franchisors are in growth mode. With great foot traffic, ideal space, and an openness to partnering, truck stops and travel centers are a great fit. In this episode of "The Truck Stops Here," host Amy Toner invites guests Edith Wiseman, President, FRANdata and Christina Niu, Director of Research from FRANdata to discuss their recent research project for NATSO. FRANdata is a franchise market resear...

A 2023 poll from NATSO members found that 63 percent are 'likely' to invest in a rebuild or remodel during the next 12 to 18 months. Enter Darren Schulte, vice president, membership, NATSO and Michael Lawshe, president, Paragon Solutions, to the podcast conversation to tell us what is in and out for travel center design. Drive throughs? Beer caves? Automated vending? Salad bars? Self-checkout? Dri...

The Iowa 80 Truckstop began as a small location with six diesel pumps and a 50-seat restaurant in Walcott, Iowa. Today, after 32 expansions and remodels, the truck stop is overseen by the second generation of the Moon Family, who have dedicated their lives to providing a home away from home for the thousands of people who visit each day. Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president of Iowa 80 Group, sh...

At the start of the year, NATSO announced a significant visual transformation with the introduction of a new logo and brand elements. These changes, a result of the dynamic shifts in the industry landscape, are part of NATSO's ongoing commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its members. Under the leadership of NATSO's Vice President, Branding and Marketing, Andrew Evans, NATSO undertook a comp...

New Year's resolutions often include goals that realign your focus and ideas that allow you to dream big. Darren Schulte, NATSO's vice president, membership, joined the podcast to advise on what should be on every truck stop and travel operator's back-to-basic goals list. He also shared resolutions ideas on food offerings and technology and ended with a bang, sharing his idea on a significant inno...

NATSO Connect 2024 Title Sponsor Cyclum Renewables provides sustainable green energy solutions to the transportation industry by fueling commercial trucking through a nationwide network of renewable truck stops and travel plazas. Their truck stops are sustainably designed, focused on enhanced customer experience, and can dispense multiple renewable fuels. Shaun Lee, director of field operations at...

Sprint Mart opened a new 16,000-square-foot travel center in Vance, Alabama this year. Herb Hargraves, Sprint Mart's chief operating officer, joined the podcast to share the great things happening at the new Sprint Mart. It boasts a 150-seat diner, a huge bakery, its proprietary grab-and-go fried chicken and catfish program Chix and 15 cooler doors. Its forecourt includes 12 gasoline pumps and fiv...

NATSO Connect 2024 is scheduled to be held at Disney's Yacht & Beach Club Resorts in Orlando, Florida. NATSO Connect takes place from February 18 to 22, bringing together industry professionals, experts, and innovators for an unparalleled networking and learning experience. Pamela Hayes, vice president, business development at NATSO, and Andrew Evans, vice president, marketing and branding at NATS...