The Oakley Podcast

Author: Oakley Trucking

The Oakley Podcast is a trucking industry podcast that educates and empowers owner-operators by providing relevant industry, market, and company news in a digestible audio format.
Be a guest on this podcast

Language: en

Genres: Business, Careers, Management

Contact email: Get it

Feed URL: Get it

iTunes ID: Get it

Get all podcast data

Listen Now...

279: Clean Showers, Fresh Food, Safe Lots: Inside Road Ranger’s Driver-First Strategy
Wednesday, 11 February, 2026

This week on the Oakley Podcast, host Jeremy Kellett talks with Kirk Waidelich, Chief Commercial Officer at Road Ranger, about how the growing travel stop chain is evolving to better serve truck drivers and auto customers. Drawing on Kirk’s 40-year retail background, they discuss Road Ranger’s expansion, particularly in Texas, and the changes driven by driver feedback, including competitive fuel pricing, cleaner showers, better food, reserved parking, and stronger loyalty perks, along with the company’s commitment to community through St. Jude partnerships. Don’t miss this great conversation! Key topics in today’s conversation include:Welcome to Today’s Episode and Safety Permit Reminder (0:58) Kirk Joins the Show and Is Introduced (3:23)Kirk’s 40-Year Retail Background and Career Path (6:22)Road Ranger History and Ownership Changes (8:01)Texas Growth Strategy and Key Corridors (10:04)What Drivers Want: Fuel Price, Safety, Cleanliness (11:32)Showers, Hotel-Like Upgrades, and Food Value (14:25)Auto vs. Truck Customers and Loyalty Benefits (18:35)Auto/Truck Mix and Spend Differences (21:47)New Store Buildout and Land in Texas (22:59)Testing Grab-and-Go Deli to Reduce Friction (25:30)Reserved Parking, Paid Spots, and Using Points (27:35)St. Jude Partnership and Giving Back (30:21)Kirk’s Message to Drivers and Call to Use the App (32:23)Oakley Trucking is a family-owned and operated trucking company headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas. For more information, check out our show website: podcast.bruceoakley.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.