Stop Watch
Stop Watch magazine provides in-depth content to assist NATSO members in improving their travel plaza business operations as well as provides context on trends and news affecting the industry.
Documents
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May/June 2013 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Friday, April 19, 2013 11:16 AM
Read the entire May/Junel issue of Stop Watch magazine.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- Chairman Tom Heinz encourages readers to Be the First Off the Diving Board Using Experts and Resources
- Darren Schulte blogs on 12 Ideas For What To Do With That Tired Truck Lounge and How Cashier-Specific Goals Can Increase Suggestive Selling Success
- Take a Visual Study Tour from NATSO's International Study Tour
- Learn how to Minimize Employee and Vendor Theft
- Read about Kent's Korners Big Company Best Practices, Small Company Charm in S.C.
- Get the latest on Payment Technologies
- You Have Questions. We Have Answers.
- Hear What Was the Best Idea Operators Have Gotten at the NATSO Show?
NATSO Website Extra:
Join the Truckstop and Travel Plaza Future Leaders LinkedIn Group.
Purchase the Truckstop and Travel Plaza Training Manual. -
March/April 2013 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Tuesday, April 2, 2013 12:54 PM
Read the entire March /April issue of Stop Watch magazine.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- Hear from Chairman Tom Heinz on The Power of Knowledge
- Learn how Suggestive Selling Boosts Profits While Benefiting Customers
- Get a dose of Travel Plaza and Truckstop Industry Convenience Product Trends
- See The NATSO Show Recap in pictures
- Get inspired to join NATSO Members in Taking Capitol Hill
- Learn how operators are Connecting with Truckstop Customers
- Get the latest Trends and Priorities Affecting Travel Plazas and Truckstops
- Read the member profile, Cars, Carrots and Christian Faith in Glenrio, N.M.
- Hear Who Operators Look Up to In The Truckstop Industry?
NATSO Website Extra:
Register and reserve a room for NATSO's Day on Capitol Hill
See photos from The NATSO Foundation Golf Tournament -
January/February 2013 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Tuesday, January 15, 2013 5:20 PM
Read the entire January/February issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- Darren Schulte blogs on One-A-Day Truckstop Marketing and Take Flight with a Merchandising and Marketing Checklist
- Learn how to negotiate your vendor contracts
- Meet the 2013 Hall of Fame winner James A. “Jim” Haslam II
- Get inspired by two NATSO members who are leading the fight against tolls
- Gather tips on how to get to know your fuel customer
- Meet this issue's member profile in LaPlace Travel Center, Poker and Plenty More
- Meet The NATSO Show Human Library Experts
- Read stories of truckstop and travel plaza employees performing exception acts of kindness
NATSO Website Extra:
Register for The NATSO Show
Apply for a Truckstop Superhero Award
View more photos of LaPlace Travel Plaza
Download a Sample Merchandising and Marketing Checklist
Sign the online petition against tolls in Virginia and like the cause on Facebook
View clips from NATSO members Rex Davis and Ernie Brame anti-tolling message in the media: -
November/December 2012 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Tuesday, January 15, 2013 4:25 PM
Read the entire November/December issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- NATSO's Chairman urges NATSO members to make the right choice
- Darren Schulte blogs on Drive Truckstop Retail Sales Through Larger Product Sizes and Five More Simple Tips for Truckstop Retail Displays
- Learn how to create a Values Blueprint in Hire and Keep 'A' Players
- Meet the 2012 Bill Moon Scholarship Winners
- Get tips on how to calm complainers
- Explore the latest new sign technology for truckstops
- Learn how independent operators combat shrinkage in their truckstops
- Meet this issue's member profile in History, Homemade Food and a Driver Focus in Wapakoneta, Ohio
NATSO Website Extra:
Read the additional shrink management tips offered by Chris Wetzel
Register for The NATSO Show
Apply for the Bill Moon Scholarship -
September/October 2012 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Monday, September 17, 2012 2:59 PM
Read the entire September/October issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- NATSO's Chairman explains NATSO's two goals
- Stop Watch editor, Amy Toner, explains how the magazine derived its fresh new look
- Darren Schulte blogs on Six Simple Tips for Truckstop Retail Displays and Improve Your Online Presence with These Five Tips
- Expert explore costs of the recently upheld the health care law
- Truckstop operators are using creative displays to booth sales
- With DEF sales on the rise, operators are responding in numerous ways
- When everyone else is going small, Dad’s 113 Travel Center goes big
- The NATSO Foundation launches a new industry award
- Betsi Bixby shares five ways to stop wasting cash in inventory
- NATSO independent operators share how they keep their management interested in the business
NATSO Website Extra:
Find a DEF partner in NATSO’s Buyers Guide
Register for The NATSO Show
Nominate an individual for the Truckstop Superhero Award -
July/August 2012 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Monday, September 17, 2012 10:53 AM
Read the entire July/August issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- NATSO 2012 Chairman Darrin Flitton urges members to reflect on what independence is
- Read Darren's Three Food Trends that Boost Sales and Four Steps to Maximize Gift Sales
- Learn how to create a great driver appreciation event
- Gather intelligence on the point-of-sale systems for truckstops
- Better understand truckstop risk management
- Find out the current idle regulations landscape
- Meet Roady’s Lucky Deuces Casino, where every customer is greeted with a smile
- NATSO members share the successful services they’ve added in the past year
NATSO Website Extra:
Order a copy of the Travel Plaza Loss Control Guide
Connect with the Chairman’s Circle members that support the industry at the highest level -
May/June 2012 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Monday, September 17, 2012 10:44 AM
Read the entire May/June issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- NATSO 2012 Chairman Darrin Flitton urges members to get involved
- Learn how to participate in the NMEC's Amber Alert Program as a truckstop operator
- Read Darren's Four Essential Improvements for your Grab-N-Go Food Offerings and Three Cardinal Sins of Retail
- Hear about the industry defeat of Amendment #1742 of the highway bill
- Is natural gas the next big fuel? Find out what is ahead for natural gas and truckstops in this feature
- Find out how your truckstop can meet the UST Operator Training requirement
- Boost your truckstop sales by attracting women
- Make the most out of your child's truckstop summer job
- Get behind the scenes for taping of Midway Truck Stop for Truckstop USA
- NATSO members share the small things they do to improve customer experience
NATSO Website Extra:
AMBER Alert Frequently Asked Questions
NATSO members that offer natural gas at press time included Trillium and Clean Energy
Take the UST Operator Training for Truckstops Provided by Pass and NATSO
Visit the Travel Channel online to see clips from Midway Truck Stop's show, Truckstop USA -
March/April 2012 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Thursday, October 18, 2012 2:10 PM
Read the entire March/April issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
Honoring 'The Boss'
NATSO’s New Website
Lessons from Around the Globe
Get SocialMessages from the Hill
Big Cabin Travel Plaza Still Thrives after 57 Years
What are the little things you do to improve the appearance of your location? -
January/February 2012 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Saturday, February 11, 2012 1:53 PM
In this issue:
- meet Darrin Flitton, NATSO 2012 Chairman
- read about NATSO's latest legislative efforts in this issue's Action Report
- take a look at what's to come in truckstop and travel plaza payment technologies
- learn the basic how to's for adding biodiesel to your truckstop
- meet the 2011 Bill Moon Scholarship recipients
- take a look at Broadway Flying J Travel Plaza's recovery after a devastating fire
- find out what truckstop operators have learned about selling DEF
- hear from featured experts of NATSO's human library
- plan your time in Las Vegas with The NATSO Show Official Show Guide
Read the January/February 2012 issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
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November/December 2011 Issue of NATSO's Stop Watch Magazine
Last modified Monday, October 22, 2012 3:22 PM
Read the full November/December 2011 issue of NATSO Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- NATSO Chairman Bobby Berkstresser looks back on his year as Chairman
- take a look at how truckstop and travel plazas cater to travelers during the holidays
- see where independent truckstop operators go online for information
- find out the how to attract bus traffic to your truckstop
- learn about Trail's Travel Center and their success in extraordinary customer service
- get a multitude of tips in the five-page feature on innovative truckstop and travel plaza merchandizing
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September/October 2011 NATSO Stop Watch
Last modified Thursday, October 18, 2012 3:50 PM
In this issue:
- hear from NATSO Chairman Bobby Berkstresser as he challenges you to help expand the truckstop community
- find out the latest "skimming" scam in debit and credit card fraud
- learn about the eco-friendly additions to the Eco Travel Plaza
- find out how to grow your truckstop business with specialty coffee
- gain knowledge on implementing a drug and alcohol-free work environment
- check out the benefits of adding a catering service to your truckstop
- take a look at what industries are inspiring truckstop operators
- hear from Barbara Windsor on protecting our infrastructure in this issue's Thought Leader
Read the September/October 2011 issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
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July/August 2011 Stop Watch
Last modified Monday, October 22, 2012 2:30 PM
Read the July/August 2011 issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- hear from NATSO Chairman Bobby Berkstresser on the power behind advocacy
- learn NATSO's core purpose and value to our members in Amy Toner's Letter from the Editor
- learn about grant opportunities for electric vehicle charging stations
- find out important components needed to improve your truckstop's fresh and healthy food choices
- learn key essentials in planning ahead to protect your travel center during natural disasters
- read about hospitality at it's best as NATSO truckstop members go above and beyond
- Learn about the Sapp Bros. Travel Centers secret to celebrating 40 years of successful business
- analyze the "truck" in truck stop in this issue's operator to operator
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May/June 2011 Stop Watch
Last modified Thursday, October 18, 2012 2:46 PM
In this issue:
- hear from NATSO Chairman Bobby Berkstresser on why lawmakers want our ideas
- find out how you can get involved in Stop Watch in Amy Toner's Letter from the Editor
- learn how to promote your truckstop location with social media marketing and hear the success of social media from independent truckstop operators
- get advice on how to put necessary procedures in place to protect your truckstop when extending house credit
- take a look at the food forecast for restaurants in this issue's Thought Leader
- find out how to prepare for increased demand for DEF
- if you haven't already, be sure to enlist with Google maps to increase traffic to your truckstop
- learn Sacramento 49er Travel Plaza's unique ways of appealing to truck drivers in this issue's member profile
- read about the phenomenal longtime member, Lamar Perlis, inducted into the NATSO Foundation Hall of Fame
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March/April 2011 Stop Watch
Last modified Monday, October 22, 2012 12:37 PM
Read the entire March/April 2011 issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
In this issue:
- hear from NATSO Chairman Bobby Berkstresser on how we should work together as an industry
- get an update on changes to the NATSO Foundation
- study the business advise provided by Fast Company co-founder Bill Taylor in the Thought Leader
- better understand industry trends using the McLane - NATSO Foundation Index and the executive summary of NATSO's latest trends study
- explore this year's fuel prices increase
- learn how the revised ADA rule affects truckstops in the NATSO Foundation's new ADA Compliance Tool Kit
- connect with NATSO members in the story on the friendly service at Stamart Travel Centers and operator to operator technology tips
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January/February 2011 Stop Watch
Last modified Monday, October 22, 2012 3:02 PM
Read the January/February 2011 issue of Stop Watch magazine here.
Or read, comment and share individual stories at the links below:
- read Chairman Bobby Berkstresser's letter to NATSO
- learn how commercial buildings can save big in this issues foundation update
- educate yourself on Comprehensive Safety Analysis (CSA) in this issue's Shop Repair
- in this issue's thought leader find out the opportunities, greatest challenges and keys to success in running a family business
- find out why "truckers love the western store" in "Family, Boot & Politics at the Bridges Travel Plaza"
- gain some insight on how other operators appeal to truck drivers through curb appeal
- learn from the amazing resources that will be on hand to share their expertise in the human library