Topics: Great Ideas

Steps to Prevent the Sale of Alcohol and Tobacco to Minors at Your Truckstop

During our most recent NATSO Show Bonus Workshop, I received several questions about tobacco and alcohol sales sold to under age consumers. If not handled correctly, these two areas can cost truckstop/travel center retailers tens of thousands of dollars in lost sales, embarrassment within the local community and significant costs in lost employees. However, there are some simple steps your operation should be taking to avoid selling these products to under age consumers. We’ll look at those procedures as part of a two-part series. More

Creative, Quality Sandwiches are the Key to Boosting Sales

Sandwich consumption is on the rise, with today’s consumers eating more than three sandwiches per week. The problem with sandwiches, however, is that many people simply make them at home. A study by the research firm Technomic showed that 54 percent of consumers, up from 51 percent two years ago, are preparing sandwiches themselves. More

Stop Now And Ask Yourself These Twenty Vendor Check-In Questions

I recently had the pleasure of attending one of our members’ manager’s meeting. I was really impressed by what the organization is doing to take care of each and every customer who enters their property. The focus on the customer through the execution of basic guest service fundamentals was awesome. Conversations at the meeting reminded me of the importance of a solid vendor check-in procedure. I think many locations struggle with this. In the NATSO Truckstop and Travel Plaza Training Manual we spell out the entire vendor check in procedure. For those of you that have yet to purchase it, I thought it was worthwhile to pose some vendor check-in related questions for you to consider. More

Sacramento 49er Does it Again, Serving More of Those Who Serve

In the July/August issue of Stop Watch, we told you about the awesome service Sacramento 49er Travel Plaza in Sacramento provided earlier this year to about 2,000 soldiers that were en route to an Army base in Washington State. The location did it again over the summer, with 600 members of the military stopping in over a three-day period while they were on their way to training. More

Brix Your Fountain Drink Machine to Cut Costs

When it comes to fountain drinks, consistency is key. Truckstop and travel plaza operators sell many thousands of cups of soda annually, and the key to great tasting soda is ensuring it has the proper brix, which is the ratio of syrup to water. What’s more, if you’re not regularly brixing your fountain, you’re mostly likely dispensing more soda syrup than is necessary, and it is probably costing you thousands of dollars of profit annually. More

Share Your Stories with NATSO

To submit a story to NATSO, email a press release, story idea or rough draft to editor@natso.com. We will take it from there. And, pictures are always appreciated. More

Be Easy To Do Business With

One of the most important keys to success for companies today is being easy to do business with. That ease equates into higher ticket sales and repeat customers. The best way to be easy to do business with is to provide top-notch customer service. More

Be Easy To Do Business With

One of the most important keys to success for companies today is being easy to do business with. That ease equates into higher ticket sales and repeat customers. The best way to be easy to do business with is to provide top-notch customer service. More

Truckstop Travels: Innovation At Fontana Truck Stop

Today’s innovation comes from Fontana Truck Stop in Fontana, California. More

Truckstop Travels: Drive-Throughs and Clothing Donation in Ohio

I have had the pleasure of witnessing some great ideas being implemented and executed in the field that are distinguishing these independents from the competition. More

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