The NOLN Podcast

Maintaining Margins, Protecting Profits (with Scott Hempy, Oilstop CEO)

Scott Hempy, CEO of Oilstop Drive-Thru Oil Change and Happy’s Drive-Thru Car Wash, joins the NOLN Podcast to take a closer look at a topic covered in one of his recent columns for NOLN: how quick lube operators can maintain their margins even as their costs rise. In this conversation, Hempy explains why operators should focus on controllable factors, such as labor efficiency, bay times, and inventory management, and build a culture of cost awareness in their shops. He also offers up best practices for implementing thoughtful prices increases without driving away guests.
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Feature Read: Beyond the Sale: Why Strong Vendor Partnerships Give Quick Lubes a Competitive Edge

Vendors who work with quick lubes have evolved from suppliers and distributors to sage advisors and full-fledged partners. On this note, earlier this year NOLN caught up with representatives from Mighty Auto Parts and Service Champ, who explained why effective vendor partnerships involve understanding the specific needs and challenges of quick lube shops, including inventory, training, and service offerings.
This story originally appeared on NOLN.net on May 30, 2026.
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Blueprint for Building Better Teams (with Ellie Pentland)

Ellie Pentland, partner at Throttle Muscle, joins the NOLN Podcast to offer insights on how quick lube operators can develop effective employee training and goal-setting initiatives. Pentland, who has spent more than 25 years in the industry, explains the value of clearly defining objectives and creating measurable outcomes, and she also discusses the why operators should focus training on individual roles and consistently checking in with employees to track progress, rather than sitting back and relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
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Despite Pending Deal, Middle East Conflict’s Impact Will Reverberate

With the United States and Iran reaching a peace agreement that is expected to be signed later this week, RBC Capital Markets analyst Steven Shemesh joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss the ramifications for quick lube operators. In this interview, Shemesh explains why although the reported peace agreement between the United States and Iran is a positive development, operators should expect lingering effects from months of conflict that drove up crude oil prices and created supply chain disruptions.
He also breaks down how operators of different sizes have been impacted by recent events, and what industry leaders from all corners can learn from this experience.
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Driving Higher Repair Orders with Preventive Maintenance Services

Increasing average repair orders starts with consistency, communication, and preparation. In this episode of the NOLN Podcast, Matt Shaw, vice president of sales at Mighty Auto Parts, discusses how thorough inspections, faster advisor communication and well-managed inventory programs can help shops identify more service opportunities, improve close rates and create a better customer experience with every vehicle visit. 

Feature Read: Package Deals Keep Customers Coming Back

Oil Express, a 44-year-old business 20 miles north of downtown Cincinnati in West Chester, Ohio, has emphasized customer-oriented service packages tailored to working-class drivers, including discounts on oil changes, filters, and fluid services to increase revenue. District Manager Robert Gallatin recently shared with NOLN the five straightforward considerations Oil Express works from to craft its package deals.
This article was published on NOLN.net on April 21, 2026.
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Feature Read: Online Scheduling Opens Shop to New Business

Adam Miller, owner of four Grease Monkey franchise locations in Washington state, explains how implementing an online scheduling system has helped attract new customers to his stores. Miller explains how customers book appointments online, how his Grease Monkey shops balance wait times for drive-up customers vs. those who scheduled in advance, and lessons he has learned after a year of offering the online option.
This article was published on NOLN.net on Feb. 21, 2026.
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Proactive Engagement Boosts Customer Retention (with Adam Alfia and Scott Rider)

As AI-driven search engines increasingly aggregate reviews, proactive online reputation management is a critical tool for quick lube shops of all sizes. Adam Alfia, founder and managing director of Real Time Feedback, and Scott Rider, founder and CEO of the Rider Group, join the NOLN Podcast to explain how a proactive engagement strategy can boost retention, improve online ratings, and ultimately drive more revenue for your shop. 
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Feature Read: Secure the Service Bay

Cybersecurity leaders explain why smaller, independent automotive shops can be prime targets for hackers. They also offer practical advice for protecting sensitive information, including customer and financial data, and developing an incident response plan that can prevent an attack from destroying a business.
This article was published on NOLN.net on March 9, 2026.
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Midas Celebrates Seven Decades and Surges Forward (with Paul Elliott, Group VP of Franchise Marketing)

Paul Elliott, group vice president of franchise marketing for Midas, joins the NOLN Podcast to discuss the company’s recent 70th anniversary celebration, as well as the company’s emphasis on innovation, customer service, using AI as a support tool rather than a replacement for employees, and strong franchisee partnerships. Elliott also dives into Midas’ new marketing campaign featuring actor William Zabka, franchise support, and perfecting the customer experience while maintaining a collaborative company culture.
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