Jeff Cox, executive director of the Automotive Maintenance & Repair Association, joins the NOLN Podcast to provide a crash course on oil evacuation systems, which allow shops to remove old oil without touching a drain cap. He also explains why these systems are becoming more popular and how to determine whether your shop would benefit from adding one. Jeff then provides questions operators should ask vendors when trying to pick out oil evacuation equipment for their store and outlines how you should explain the service to customers who come in for an oil change.

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>> Submit a nomination for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award

There’s lots happening across the quick lube industry, so we thought it was a good time to get you caught up on recent stories from NOLN you may have missed. Here are the headlines we’re diving into this week:

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>> Complete the 2025 NOLN Operator Survey (Survey closes March 21, 2025)

>> Nominate a leader for the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year Award (Nominations due by April 30, 2025)

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In an era when many rely on text messaging, websites, and smartphone apps to get the information they need, good old fashioned phone calls steadfastly remain a way to connect quick lube locations and potential customers. David Boyd, founder of Inbound Communications, joins the NOLN Podcast to share best practices for handling incoming calls, serving customers’ needs, and taking simple steps to convert inquiries into future sales when your shop’s phone rings.

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While you might be ready to exit the quick lube industry, is your business ready to be sold? Jim Parker, president of The Auto Repair Boss, a Florida-based brokerage firm that specializes in selling auto-related companies, joins the NOLN Podcast to offer guidance on how to determine whether the time is right for a quick lube shop operator to sell. He shares steps potential sellers should be taking in advance of going to market, as well as some questions they should be asking brokers they are considering working with.

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John Forro, lead instructor, content developer and owner of the EV and engine performance training company Electron John, discusses emerging opportunities for quick lube shop owners to expand their offerings to include preventative maintenance for hybrid and electric vehicles. Forro provides a crash course on EV maintenance essentials, including both training and protective equipment, and he also details how shops can start with simple services and add on later to meet customer demand.

Now on NOLN.net: Read more with John Forro in the January-February 2025 issue of NOLN

Justin Cialella, president and CEO of Victory Lane and chair of government affairs for PAMA, provides an update on the state of federal right to repair legislation, the hurdles that need to be cleared, and what impact, if any, the change in presidential administrations will have. Cialella also discusses the EPA’s decision to label PFAS chemicals as hazardous, as well as how quick lube shop operators can get involved with PAMA to make their voice heard. 

How do you know when it’s time to rethink the marketing strategy for your quick lube shop? Gregg Rainville, SVP of Steer CRM, joins the NOLN Podcast to share some best practices for evaluating your marketing plan, explain how a good CRM can effectively integrate multiple marketing tactics, and provide some questions that shop owners should be asking when choosing a CRM vendor. Rainville also offers his predictions on the marketing trends that quick lube shop owners should be watching in 2025.

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How can shop owners level up their leadership skills? In this episode, Mike Jones of Discover Leadership Training talks with Chris Jones, editorial director of Endeavor Business Media’s Vehicle Repair Group, about the hallmarks of effective leadership.

Mike explains how comfort zones hold employees back from reaching their potential, the differences between management and leadership, and the relationship between discipline and growth. Mike also discusses why motivation doesn’t work (and shares what does), as well as common mistakes that leaders make and how they can correct them.

This interview was featured on the Aftermarket All-Access podcast on Dec. 19, 2024.

Scott Just has been with SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service for 22 years. Today, he serves as the general manager for eight locations in the New England area. Recently, Just was named ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year.

He joins the NOLN Podcast to explain how he stays in the loop at each of the locations he oversees, as well as how communication has been a major key to building solid relationships with customers, vendor partners, and employees alike.

With 2024 marking 40 years in business for Take 5 Oil Change, we’re catch up with Mo Khalid, executive vice president and group president of maintenance for Driven Brands, the parent company of Take 5 Oil Change. Khalid discusses how a brand that began providing quick oil change services in New Orleans in 1984 has expanded into a national powerhouse in the industry with more than 1,000 locations from coast to coast, and more coming soon.

Khalid also explains how a brand can foster growth – both in terms of geography and services offered – without losing its core identity, and he shares how Take 5’s core “fast, friendly and simple” model and partnering with the right franchisees has helped the organization thrive for four decades.