Photos provided by Scott Hempy and Shawn Gilfillan
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Two members of the NOLN Editorial Advisory Board weigh in on the biggest stories of the year and offer quick lube operators advice for 2026.
Chuck Simikian
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Photos by: Tom Valentino, Adobe Stock, FullSpeed Automotive, Take 5
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Tom Valentino
NOLN Podcast - Bishara
Photos by: Auto Ace - Alex Comstock; Insta-Lube - Dale Eesley; PittStop - Tom Valentino; Castrol Pro Lube - Matthew Warman; Our Planet - Tyler Dowling
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Latest News

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The new store is located on Hamilton Street, in place of a former quick lube business.
Dec. 26, 2025
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BP will retain a minority share in the lubricants brand per terms of the deal, which is expected to close in late 2026.
Dec. 24, 2025
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Costa Oil has inaugurated its first store in San Antonio at 16514 Nacogdoches Road, marking its fifth Texas location and 70th nationwide.
Dec. 23, 2025
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Midas has acquired Max Auto Supply, a longstanding franchisee operating 111 locations across six states;
Dec. 23, 2025

Podcasts

Endeavor
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In the latest installment of the Endeavor to Discover series, Chris Messer and Mike Jones discuss embracing continuous improvement, surrounding yourself with growth-minded individuals...
Dec. 11, 2025
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NOLN Pod-Feature Read Price Changes
This year has brought many headwinds for the auto service field—particularly with regard to tariffs. A small shop based in South Burlington, Vermont, is doing the work to protect...
Dec. 8, 2025
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DRN's Noel Peña explains how the company's license plate recognition technology helps operators develop more precisely targeted marketing campaigns toward potential new customers...
Dec. 4, 2025
Mike Wilkinson
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Whether they’re working on the shop floor or keeping tabs from afar, quick lube leaders put in the hours guiding their teams to success.
Nov. 24, 2025

Featured Stories

Foxx Media
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Victory Lane Quick Oil Change franchisee Amanda Saraiva and Shell Rapid Lube owner Charlie Pobanz share how they found their footing as leaders in quick lube—and that other women...
June 27, 2025
Giulianna Hudson
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Quick lube operators leverage their standing in their local communities to help those in need through various initiatives.
May 23, 2025
Michael Marcinko
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Keeping customers informed during visits can help drive them to keep coming back.
March 24, 2025
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Right to Repair
Tim Winkeler, CEO of VIP Tires & Service, shares how he’s addressing the concerns of independent shops in a working group for R2R’s implementation.
Jan. 21, 2025

Finance + Operations

Steven Shemesh
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RBC Capital Markets equity research analyst Steven Shemesh discusses shifts in market share, major quick lube brands’ expansion plans, and more trends to watch.
Nov. 19, 2025
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Quick lube operators planning to make significant investments in their business list their top priorities.
Oct. 28, 2025
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Girlington Garage, a small shop based in South Burlington, Vermont, is doing the work to protect itself and its customers.
Sept. 25, 2025
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Labor, product costs, and extended service intervals are, by a wide margin, the most common issues challenging quick lube operators.
Sept. 8, 2025

Human Resources

Chuck Simikian
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HR expert Chuck Simikian explains why building a healthy workplace culture is vital, and he offers advice on how shop owners can keep their employees engaged.
Oct. 20, 2025
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Hiring an administrator can free up managers to get back to focusing on big-picture tasks.
Aug. 11, 2025
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Succession planning
David Rogers, CEO of Auto Profit Masters and Automated Marketing Group, shares how he’s managed to run multiple auto businesses remotely—and how it’s benefited both him and his...
July 29, 2025
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Margaret Light, a licensed marriage and family therapist with Equilibrium Therapy Services, explains the impact of mental health on decision making for business leaders, as well...
July 10, 2025

Customer Service

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A relationship-driven model built on transparency can dispel stigmas and keep customers coming back to quick lube shops.
Nov. 26, 2025
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Driver checking time
Quick lube operators weigh in on the average bay time for customer visits to their shops.
Oct. 6, 2025
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Quick lubes can identify potential issues with courtesy checks of tire pressure, tread wear, and visual evidence of defects.
Sept. 24, 2025
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Eric’s LubeXpress of Wyoming has implemented a pickup/drop-off service that allows customers to get an oil change and other maintenance done without leaving home or work.
July 28, 2025

Leadership

Brice Perkins
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Since rising to the role of location manager at The Lube Center in Gambrills, Maryland, the shop’s annual sales, ticket averages, and customer satisfaction scores have soared ...
Aug. 25, 2025
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Although the transfer of ownership of a Maryland shop was accelerated by the unexpected passing of its owner, smart planning made the transfer relatively seamless.
Aug. 18, 2025
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Understanding the hallmarks of effective leadership can help you get the most out of your team.
Dec. 26, 2024
Headshots (left to right) courtesy of: Scott Hempy, Joanna Johnson, Lenny Saucier, and Adam Tatum
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Our columnists covered a wide array of topics this year, from preventative maintenance tools to operational strategies.
Dec. 23, 2024

Learning Resources

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Sponsored
Learn how leveraging marketing strategies can attract more customers.
March 24, 2025
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Sponsored
To encourage employee retention, quick lube operators must continuously find new ways to encourage loyalty and foster a positive shop culture.
March 24, 2025
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Sponsored
Five steps for a smooth and profitable business transition
March 19, 2025
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Sponsored
Tired of customers roasting your bay time? Stop the slow roll! Download this free guide, "5 Ways to Keep Your Auto Shop Clients From Wanting to Run You Over," and boost turnover...
March 3, 2025