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.
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Pilot Adds to Fuel Network
Pilot Flying J is adding to its fuel network in Ontario, Canada, Kansas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Texas. The Knoxville-based company is expanding from four fuel islands to 10 islands in the locations. The company also opened three new facilities during the 2014 first quarter. Click here to read more > -
TA/Petro to Offer Free WiFi at Selected Locations
TravelCenters of America said it is providing free WiFi internet service in the dining rooms of 39 selected locations. According to Tom O'Brien, President and CEO of the travel plaza chain, “To continue to show driver respect, we wanted to offer drivers a chance to sit down and relax, and enjoy a good meal, while still staying connected and managing their business.” Click here to read more > -
Love's Signs Development Agreement With Arby's
The Arby's Restaurant Group recently announced that it currently has 211 restaurants under development. The roast beef sandwich company signed a development agreement with its largest franchisee, United Beef Corporation, for 38 new locations in Colorado. United Beef operates 323 Arby's at the present time. Love's Travel Stops also signed a new development agreement that will add facilities to their current stable of 48 Arby's restaurants. Click here to read more > -
“To be an effective truck stop, it needs adequate signs in place.”
Springfield, Ohio Board of Zoning Appeals Chairman Frederick Tiffany, commenting on approval of a 90-foot high sign for Love's Travel Stops.
Click here to read more > - FDA Proposes to Extend Tobacco Authority to Additional Products
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) released its proposed rule that would extend the agency's tobacco authority to cover additional tobacco products not already under the FDA's authority, including electronic cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, nicotine gels, and waterpipe tobacco. Click here to read more > - Major Distribution Hub Coming to Dallas
Building materials manufacturer Georgia-Pacific is close to signing a lease for a new 1.6 million square-foot distribution center. The site is located on the east side of Interstate 45 in Hutchins, Texas, just south of Dallas. In addition, a 1 million square-foot distribution center for Proctor & Gamble is under construction in that area. A new Ace Hardware distribution center opened recently in the same vicinity. Truck traffic in the area should grow significantly as more than 16.5 million square-feet of warehousing was reported under construction at the end of 2013. Click here to read more > -
Fuel Demand Hits Three-Year High
Oil consumption in March hit its highest level for that month since 2011, according to the American Petroleum Institute. About 18.6 million barrels per day of petroleum products were delivered during the month, marking an increase of 0.4 percent over last year. Distillate products experienced 2.4 percent growth in March to 3.9 million barrels per day. Gasoline and diesel production reached record levels and outstripped demands. Additionally, domestic crude output grew by 13 percent. Click here to read more > -
The 4 C's of Successful Leadership
What sets apart the successful or enlightened leader from the average leader? Some successful individuals believe that it is all about the four C's of character, competence, collaboration and courage. Do you have the character to succeed? Do you know what you are made of and what your purpose is? What do you know? Do you have the prerequisite knowledge to succeed? Who do you partner with and make a part of your team? And, do you have the courage necessary to fulfill your visions? Click here to read more > -
"We ask that you bring this entire process to an end no later than May 31, 2014, and that your final decision be the right one, finding that the Keystone XL pipeline is in the national interest."
Eight Democratic Senators writing to President Obama regarding the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Click here to read more > - Fuel Tax Going Local
Bloomington, Ill., is considering adding a 4 cent per-gallon fuel tax on gasoline and diesel sold in the city. Bloomington would become one of dozens of Illinois cities to impose a local fuel tax. This new revenue generator is becoming a favorite tactic of localities around the country. More areas are facing major structural deficits that are not being filled by state or federal transportation taxes. This practice creates significant competitive issues for travel centers located in a jurisdiction that levies a tax if its competitors are outside of the same area. Click here to read more >
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