Podcast - NATSO

08-14-2025 by Amy Toner Nisqually Markets is Nimble, Serving the Community with Food

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.

Truckstop Business

08-14-2025

07-08-2025 by Amy Toner NATSO Foundation Partners with Wreaths Across America

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.

Truckstop Business

07-08-2025

06-24-2025 by Amy Toner All American Truckers Paradise is Not Your Average Truck Stop

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.

Truckstop Business

06-24-2025

10-16-2024 by Amy Toner Fuel Retailers’ Guide to Ethanol Blending

Ethanol has been around for a long time, but the incentives and the benefits are still going strong. Ginger Laidlaw, vice president of NATSO’s Alternative Fuels Council, and Andrew Falco, market development & analytic manager for Growth Energy, offer their take on what should be considered if you’re thinking about offering ethanol blends for the first time or becoming a new blender.

Fuel & Trucking

10-16-2024

10-01-2024 by Amy Toner UK Travel Plaza and Truck Stop’s Unique Travel Center Experience

Sohail Butt, Principal and CFO of University Korner, and his partners are building a cutting-edge truck stop on the I-80 corridor of Pennsylvania. The truck stop, expected to open at the end of 2024, will be a very forward-thinking, inclusive travel center heavily focused on professional driver well-being.

Truckstop Business

10-01-2024

09-17-2024 by Amy Toner On the Road with NATSO: A 1500-Mile Journey with a Professional Truck Driver

This episode of The Truck Stops Here podcast features a candid discussion with Lisa Mullings, President & CEO of NATSO, on her week-long ride-along trip with Jennifer Evans, a Werner truck driver.

Mullings reveals insightful details about Jennifer’s routine, safety checks, traffic challenges, and how she keeps fit on the road. She also discusses the crucial role of customer service in travel centers and the importance of safe, legal parking for drivers.

Truckstop Business

09-17-2024

09-03-2024 by Amy Toner Bowlin Travel Centers Boasts Hospitality and Unique Finds

Valkyrie Musara, COO and executive vice president of Bowlin Travel Centers, joins the podcast to share Bowlin’s fascinating history, merchandising strategy, and how they create an immersive “treasure hunt” experience that keeps customers exploring their stores.

Truckstop Business

09-03-2024

08-22-2024 by Amy Toner Dial Into Loyalty for Professional Drivers

Peter Rasmussen, founder and CEO of Convenience and Energy Advisors, joins the podcast to share the key components of successful loyalty programs including how to tailor rewards for professional drivers.

Rasmussen and host Amy Toner also explore:
– The role of AI in enhancing the customer experience and driving targeted offers:
– How small operators should tackle loyalty; and
– What to consider when choosing a loyalty provider.

08-22-2024

08-06-2024 by Amy Toner RaceTrac is Making Major Moves

During a recent episode of the Truck Stops Here podcast Nick LaFalce, RaceTrac’s marketing manager sat down with Amy Toner, executive director of the NATSO Foundation, and Darren Schulte, NATSO’s vice president of membership, to share more about how RaceTrac is expanding its reach, how the company communicates its brand and more.

08-06-2024

07-29-2024 by NATSO Foundation More on the Trends and Opportunities Shaping the Travel Center Industry

When it comes to the future of the truck stop and travel center industry, Darren Schulte, NATSO’s vice president of membership, has a strong history of identifying trends, warning about threats and identifying new opportunities. He has an extensive background in the industry, has made thousands of site visits, and has constant conversations with operators and industry experts.

Read a detailed write-up of Schulte’s episode of the Truck Stops Here podcast, where he shared on what is happening in the travel center industry.

07-29-2024

07-09-2024 by Amy Toner Customer Experience for Travel Centers

Customer experience (CX) includes any interaction that customers have with a brand across all touch points. It can include the experience they have digitally, such as an app, through advertising at the pump or in the store.

As convenience is growing and blurring with increased competition for truck stops and travel centers, a good customer experience is especially important.

In this episode, Amy Toner, executive director of the NATSO Foundation, discussed the importance of CX with Matt Sargent, VP of loyalty analytics at NexChapter.

Truckstop Business

07-09-2024