What You Missed in the Biz Brief This Week: April 16, 2014

In today’s information-overloaded business world, we often find ourselves deluged with literally hundreds of news items from dozens of sources. While it is likely impossible to read every article and remain productive, by not doing so we risk missing the one article that could change a key business practice or thought process. And that is where the NATSO Foundation’s newest publication, Biz Brief, provides assistance! The NATSO Foundation's Biz Brief is a daily collection of the most relevant business intelligence for truckstop and travel plaza operators. 

While we think the Biz Brief is a must-read every day, if you only read ten news articles this week, these ten most-clicked Biz Brief articles are the ten to read. 

1. Love's Founder Shares Business Lessons 
   Tom Love, who founded Love's Travel Stops along with his wife, Judy, 50 years ago, spoke at a Junior Achievement event hosted by Oklahoma City University’s Meinders School of Business. Love shared how they began with a leased service station in 1964 and grew to a company that ranks No. 9 on Forbes’ list of America’s largest private companies. The company has more than 300 retail outlets across 40 states, employs about 11,000 people and reports gross annual revenues of more than $26 billion. Love shared that the firm is embarking on a new hotel initiative. Click here to read more >

2. The Sub That Fell Short 
   The Subway sandwich chain was accused of false advertising last year as customers claimed that the firm's foot-long sub was actually only 11 inches long. As a result, numerous lawsuits were filed across the country with attorneys seeking damages for the alleged shortcoming. Now it appears that Subway has negotiated a settlement with the various plaintiff lawyers. The parties currently are working with a court mediator to finalize the terms of the settlement. Click here to read more >

3. Pump-and-Run Bandit Strikes Again 
   The operator of a Freightliner Cascadia that bilked a Virginia travel plaza out of $1,500 in fuel last week may have struck again. This time a similar vehicle visited the Penn Oil Truckstop on Interstate 74 in Jasper, Fla., and drove off with $856 in diesel. Unlike the first incident, a trailer was attached to the Freightliner. Anyone with information about the Virginia fuel theft is asked to call the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office at (434) 348-4200. Click here to read more >

4. Donate to the Memory of Ray Rowan 
   The truckstop and travel plaza industry is mourning the passing of Ray Rowan, President and Chief Executive Officer of PRS Inc. Rowan died March 24 at the age of 77 after a brief illness. At the request of the family, the NATSO Foundation is accepting donations in his memory. Donations can be made online using the links below or made via checks written to the NATSO Foundation and mailed to 1330 Braddock Pl, #501, Alexandria, VA 22314. Click here to read more >

5. World Record Truck Jump Attempted 
   Scott Godfrey, of Utah-based Godfrey Trucking, is involved in quite a sibling rivalry. His younger brother holds the world record for Class 8 truck jump distance. The attached video shows a gallant attempt to best his little brother with a jump in his Freightliner that fell just short. Click here to read more >

6. Motley Fool Asks: Is Natural Gas Losing Momentum? 
   An investment research and reporting firm is questioning the future of natural gas as a legitimate alternative fuel. The company identifies Clean Energy and Westport Innovations as investments that have not fared well in the recent up market. The Motley Fool reported that the lack of consistent pricing through the last six months has cost the natural gas industry its momentum. The reporting entity also lists the shale oil revolution as a factor that could impact natural gas' future. Click here to read more >

7. Tips for Better Tips 
   While a trend is taking place in some cities to eliminate tipping at restaurants, tipping is still seen as an appropriate means of thanking a server. There are some unique ways that a server can increase the likelihood of a good tip. One study found that physically touching a customer would increase a tip. Tipping results also improved if the guest was touched on the palm rather than the shoulder. Blond hair enhances tip potential as does drawing a smiley face on the guest check. Crouching next to the table increases gratuities by as much as 25 percent. Click here to read more >

8. Love's Opens in Illinois 
   Love's Travel Stops opened its 9th location in Oglesby, Ill. This will be the company's first facility on Interstate 39 and will offer a Hardee's Restaurant. Oglesby's Mayor, Don Finley, when asked if he planned to have breakfast at the travel center on its opening day responded, “You better believe it.” The stop sits on 16 acres at the site. Click here to read more >

9. Pilot to Open in Texas 
   Pilot Travel Centers is scheduled to open a new location in Big Lake, Texas, May 7. The location sits on Highway 67 and Highway 137, midway between San Angelo and Fort Stockton. The facility will be the company's 26th in Texas. Click here to read more >

10. Heartbleed Bug Jeopardizes Confidential Information 
    A major online security vulnerability dubbed the "Heartbleed Bug" could put your personal information at risk, including passwords, e-mails, and credit card and other banking information. The "Heartbleed Bug" is a flaw in an encryption standard used by roughly two-thirds of websites that need to transmit the data that users want to keep secure. Click here to read more >

     

I might be biased, but I think if you aren't receiving Biz Brief, you are missing out! Not a subscriber? Be sure to submit a request to be added to the email list. Already receive it and have feedback for me? Be sure to email me at editor@natso.com.