The NATSO Foundation is the research, education, and public outreach subsidiary of NATSO, Inc. The foundation is completely autonomous and relies solely on donations. The foundation’s work includes tools for truck stops and travel centers to future-proof their business, educational programs, safety initiatives, and scholarships through the Bill and Carolyn Moon Scholarship.
Truck stops and travel centers typically have multiple food offerings under one roof and create a mix of grab-and-go, built-to-order and quick service options that can appeal to customers who are on the go. Creating the right combination allows operators to meet a wide range of customer needs and ensures there is something for everyone.
Grab-and-go, built-to-order and quick service models each offer distinct approaches to serving food and different roles to play in meeting customers’ demands.
Foodservice is now one of the most important differentiators for travel centers and truck stops, and the right food offerings can create a competitive advantage. The ideal mix of food service offerings often includes a combination of proprietary and branded programs, but what should travel centers consider when partnering with a QSR? “We’re a house of brands, so we want to have multiple offerings to appeal to everyone,” Chris Heinz, director of operations and finance at Heinz Inc. said.
The NATSO Foundation has released its 2026 Annual Professional Driver Buying Behavior at Travel Centers Survey Toolkit, giving truck stop and travel center operators new insights into the factors shaping where professional drivers choose to stop, their wants and needs, and what makes them return to a location.
The toolkit found that while fuel prices remain important, drivers increasingly evaluate travel centers based on the overall experience, including parking availability, cleanliness, safety, lighting, convenience and loyalty rewards.
“Drivers are making decisions based on the full experience, not just cost,” said Amy Toner, executive director of the NATSO Foundation. “Operators that invest in safe, clean and efficient locations will be better positioned to attract drivers and ensure repeat visits.”
For operators, every gallon counts, and technology can help them prevent accidental losses as well as outright theft. It can also increase efficiency for operators by accurately tracking and communicating information on tank levels.
“If I were an operator, I would be looking for things driven around efficiency—staff efficiency, maintenance efficiency, delivery efficiency, driver efficiency—anything that makes the staff’s work easier and eliminates the spreadsheets so they can focus on things that are more customer-centric,” said Tony Caputo, director of business development for Warren Rogers.
For truck stops, upgrading or updating their point-of-sale (POS) systems is the first step toward tapping into new opportunities around multiple payment methods, loyalty programs and diverse ordering options. As consumers’ needs and preferences changes, POS platforms are going beyond processing transactions and becoming the foundation for customer engagement, operational efficiency and long-term growth.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving from a buzzword into a practical business tool that can deliver real, measurable benefits. AI-driven systems can help with everything from reducing downtime and improving pricing decisions to personalizing the customer experience.
“When used well, AI takes data operators already have and turns it into action. It can keep pumps running, detect fraud and help customers feel recognized,” said Jeremie Myhren, cofounder and CIO of Onramp. “For independents looking to compete in an increasingly digital landscape, AI is not the future, it’s the next practical step.”
(Myhren, along with members of the NATSO Foundation’s 2026 Technology Steering Council, will present on AI during the Technology Forum at NATSO Connect. The Travel Center Technology Forum is designed to facilitate interactive discussions among truck stops and travel center operators regarding their top technology priorities. Learn more about NATSO Connect here.)
Traditionally, professional drivers haven’t had as many options to pay at the pump, but that is changing as new payment platforms gain traction across the trucking industry. These new platforms are not only increasing efficiency for drivers but also reshaping how truck stops and travel centers compete and forcing them to rethink how they attract and retain fueling customers.
Loss prevention is an ongoing challenge for business owners including those of truck stops and travel centers. From merchandise shrinkage and employee theft to fuel fraud and wet stock loss, threats come from all directions and operators have to be proactive both inside the store and out at the pumps. Strategic policies, technology, and the right oversight can help reduce losses while also contributing to a safety culture.
A simple best practice is to keep merchandise visible in every stage of its life, and Jeremie Myhren, co-founder of ONRAMP, recommends operators design their stores for visibility. “Keep gondola heights low so there is cashier visibility. Design for the latest in NVR and DVR camera solutions,” he said. “Most customer theft is people opening packages on the sales floor and then shoving it in their clothing.”
Keeping property and buildings well-maintained plays a crucial role in safety, efficiency, and the overall guest experience. With 24/7 operations, buildings are constantly in use, making preventive and responsive maintenance essential. Neglecting or delaying maintenance can lead to safety hazards, compliance issues, and expensive repairs down the road.
Busy Bee has found success using a mobile-first approach through the Limble maintenance app.
“If you go to a location and you see that someone has hit an important sign, or someone has knocked Formica off of one of your fountain areas or a mirror has been damaged in your restroom, you click on the Limble app, and share the location, who you are, what needs to be fixed, take photos of it, and say what priority it is,” Elizabeth Waring, president and CEO of Busy Bee, explained.
Fuel islands are vital to the operations of truck stops and travel centers, but they also pose a variety of safety risks. There are obvious dangers associated with flammable fuels as well as more routine threats of slips, trips, and falls. By focusing on employee training, regular maintenance, and safety technologies, operators can significantly reduce risks and provide a safer environment for both drivers and staff.
“As part of our onboarding, we train on the use and locations of all fire extinguishers. We take new team members to each fire extinguisher, have them pick it up from the holder, to make sure they can do it, and explain where to direct the nozzle,” said Damon Borden, operations manager for Broadway Group.
Significant amounts of cash can change hands daily at truck stops and travel centers, making them vulnerable to theft, fraud, and human error.
To protect both assets and personnel, locations need to implement cash handling practices.
One of the most effective strategies is limiting cash exposure at the point of sale. This includes setting maximum drawer limits, routinely removing excess cash through skims, and securing it in drop or smart safes that deter theft.
“We have a time lock safe at the fuel desk for cash/coin drops,” said Darren Goetz, vice president of operation for Mitten Inc. “Otherwise, for safety reasons we only change out and count drawers when three or more staff are at the counter, never when there is only one or two folks there.”