Amy Toner is the Executive Director of the NATSO Foundation. In this capacity, Toner spearheads the Foundation’s education, research and outreach activities. Toner serves as Editor of Stop Watch magazine, spearheads education and speaker selection for NATSO live events and hosts NATSO’s Podcast, The Truck Stops Here. She sets the knowledge strategy, education.
Wreaths Across America places wreaths for veterans at the Arlington National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day. The NATSO Foundation aims to raise funds through wreath sponsorships to fill one trailer load of sponsored veterans’ wreaths (approximately 4,500).
To support the NATSO Foundation in reaching its goal, travel centers can participate by soliciting Wreaths Across America sponsorships through December 2, 2025.
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.
Private fleet has surged, and drivers for private fleets often have different needs than long-haul drivers at for-hire, over-the-road fleets.
What does it means for travel centers? Speed and efficiency are always important to professional drivers, and private fleet drivers may be on even tighter and more predictable schedules, making clean restrooms, quick-service food, efficient fueling and short-term parking even more important for this group. Private fleets also tend to have shorter lengths of haul, which means their drivers are less likely to need overnight parking, showers or other amenities that truck stops have traditionally provided.
Building a truck stop from the ground up can take several years. The development process, due diligence, land acquisition, zoning and build out all take time. Not to mention that 10+ acres established areas can be tough to find. Acquiring existing sites can help businesses hit the ground running while also saving money.
Building a new location can be a two-year process versus buying an existing site, which typically takes three to six months. As a result, acquisitions are a good way to get operational and bring in revenue right away. Even if operators plan to make major renovations or upgrades, they can generate revenue while making improvements.
“The main benefit of growing through acquisitions is time,” said Kevin O’Hanlon, first vice president, investments, for Marcus Millichap, a real estate brokerage company. Marcus Millichap generously sponsored Fast Forward Focus, the NATSO Foundation’s fall leadership conference.
The second benefit is cost. The cost of a new build can easily exceed $20 million all in. O’Hanlon said a common misconception is that the cost of acquiring and improving a property cost more than developing a new location. “That is true in some cases, but if you buy at the right price that should never be the situation,” he explained. “Purchasing an existing truck stop could be less capital intensive at purchase.”
Operators
Class 8 truck registrations are trending upward, creating more opportunities for truck and trailer washes. Clean trucks not only help fleets improve their image but also help minimize the risk of corrosion from road salts and grime buildup. There are also regulatory requirements mandating trailer washes depending on the type of trailer and the commodity being hauled.
Fleets and drivers often plan stops based on the services available, which could help locations with truck washes boost business.
Vicki Hendon, president of Danny’s Truck Wash, which is Arizona, said her truck wash makes the location a destination, and she has seen an increase in truck washes. “I am washing trucks in the West,” Hendon said. “When the weather is bad in the East we wash trucks in the West. Our truck wash season starts when the snow and bad weather starts early in other parts of the country.”
Nick Wollenman, general manager of Deluxe Truck Stop, said a lot of the location’s existing customer base for exterior washes are local fleets and farmers, but starting in late 2024 and into this year, he has seen more non-local drivers come in for exterior washing. “To be honest most of them are filthy dirty and really need the wash,” he said.
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.
To support the NATSO Foundation in reaching its goal, truck stops and travel centers can participate by soliciting wreath sponsorships now through December 2, 2025. Truck stops and travel centers should ask for donations using this NATSO Foundation link: www.natso.com/wreathsacrossamerica.
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 fueling and truck washing services, and a very unique mail and package offering.
Food is a critical part of truck stops and travel centers’ offerings, and it continually helps locations stand out from the competition. The NATSO Foundation’s new Food and Beverage Steering Council is bringing together experts to share their insights and knowledge to help steer the industry in this important profit center.
“QSRs, beverage companies, wholesale supply chains—these companies all have a wealth of knowledge to guide travel center operators on their food offerings,” said Amy Toner, executive director of the NATSO Foundation. “We’ve formed the NATSO Foundation Food and Beverage Steering Council to ensure travel centers remain relevant amidst evolving consumer food, buying, and travel habits.”
NATSO and the NATSO Foundation’s leadership event, Fast Forward Focus, will be held Oct. 29 – 30, 2025 at the InterContinental Minneapolis – St. Paul Airport.
NATSO’s Fast Forward Focus is designed to help highway fuel retailers gain insight into how trends are likely to affect their operating environment. At Fast Forward Focus, it is always the interaction among outstanding peers around the room that turns expert information into actionable insights.
We have a terrific lineup of speakers with insights to help travel centers grow their businesses and prepare for what’s ahead planned.
It is easier than ever for professional drivers to park their tractor-trailer then head off-property for food, which means competition for drivers’ dollars is increasing.
Ideas to combat this trend include:
Consider investing in appealing attractions around the travel center could make it a destination.
To help increase variety for drivers, get creative with their food offerings by adding rotating food trucks or non-traditional QSR offerings.
Offer solutions that get them fresh food quickly such as salad bars, fresh produce and more interesting grab-and-go.
“There is a location outside of Las Vegas that offers a free shuttle to the Strip. That is why drivers stop there,” said Peter Rasmussen, CEO and founder, Convenience & Energy Advisors, who spent time with WaWa before launching his business. “In my WaWa days, we would build parcels with McDonalds and Starbucks. They’re competitors, but it makes that intersection a powerhouse.”
On Thursday, June 12, join the NATSO Foundation and members of the Technology Steering Council for a virtual meet-and-greet. After hearing about each company, you will self-select a Zoom breakout room for a 15-minute demo on their company’s solutions.
The NATSO Foundation Technology Steering Council is a group of technology experts selected for their ability to lead the truck stop and travel center industry on technology issues.