Fuel retail is one of the most unique industries in the world and each story is different. From generational family-owned businesses to private equity backed behemoths, there are hundreds of stories to dive into and learn from.In Fuel Matters, we focus on those stories and apply the knowledge of our guests to the fast-changing landscape of today.
The industry is so unique in that it is under immense threat from rising costs and environment legislation, but is thriving more than ever. Incredible businesses and driven, determined people within them have emerged. Fuel Matters is about sharing their journeys.
Today’s guest is Joe Richardson. Joe is the 5th generation at Jos Richardson & Son, a business that has been in operation for 135 years. The business started out delivering coal all the way back in the 19th century, and is now an operator of incredible forecourts, including the amazing Glews Services.
5 Jul 2024
Fuel Matters Episode 10 - Dan Perry (Ron Perry & Son)
This episode is about the DisneyLand or petrol stations. Dan Perry is the third generation at Ron Perry & Son A19, owner of two stations opposite each other on a dual carriageway in the North East of England. The business is unique due to the sheer variety of profit centres on their sites and their constant desire to move forward.
26 Jun 2024
Fuel Matters Episode 9 - Gordon Balmer (Petrol Retailers Association)
In this episode we have a special guest in Gordon Balmer. Having spent 30 years at bp, Gordon is now the Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, a not for profit organisation representing petrol station owners and operators interests across the United Kingdom. When they are not lobbying the government or offering advice across a variety of subjects to fuel retailers, Gordon and his team spend their time bringing retailers together at events around the country and being all around nice people to work with.
17 Jun 2024
Fuel Matters Episode 8 - David Charman (Parkfoot Garage)
David Charman is an award winning retailer and owner of Parkfoot Garage on the A20 in Kent. Parkfoot is a third generation family business and has been serving the local community for 76 years. The site, which is famous for having its own butchers, is known locally as the magic shop, having not been closed for a single day in over 37 years.
3 Jun 2024
Fuel Matters Episode 7 - Goran Raven (RJ Raven)
Goran Raven's independent family business was founded in 1929, starting as an agricultural repairs shop and was even used as a fire station during the second world war. Today, Goran runs a high-volume Shell forecourt with a recently redeveloped Budgens store. As a family business, they continually adapt and grow, ensuring they never stand still.
Jamie Sejpal runs Top 50 independent Platinum Retail with his Dad Sej. Following Sej’s sale of MFG, he started Platinum Retail, where Jamie joined the business in 2016. The business has grown to 55 sites as it stands today and as the next generation, Jamie is looking to continue that growth into the future.
Jamie talks about:
Growing up in the petrol station industry and earning his stripes on site
Whether Platinum Pizzas could ever be a thing
Driving 40 minutes to a station in Florida to get ice cream
How he believes the Platinum Retail business can take the next step
11 Apr 2024
Fuel Matters Episode 5 - John Stevenson (Stevenson Forecourts)
John Stevenson is the owner of Stevenson Forecourts, a family owned independent based in the North East of England with three sites. Today, John talks to us about how the business evolved from car dealerships with forecourts right through to amazing shops that also sell fuel and how the business has overcome the challenges involved.
We discuss:
Why it’s important to have values for your business.
Overcoming the challenges of taking on your next site.
The devil’s advocate argument for being an exister.
I speak to Slaton Whatley from Whatley Oil in Georgia, USA. Slaton is the third generation in a 70 year old business and runs 12 retail stores, which he owns and operates under their own brand Zelmo's.
Slaton’s operates in a competitive part of the US where margins can get razor thin, meaning doing things a little differently is a basic requirement.
Slaton talks about being thrown in at the deep end, the importance of promoting from within, and the unbranded craze that is taking over American forecourts. And of course, I end up mentioning Buc-cee's.
11 Mar 2024
Fuel Matters Episode 3 - Joe Hockenhull (Hockenhull Garages)
Today’s guest is Joe Hockenhull. Joe runs 8-site retailer Hockenhull Garages as part of a Father-Son duo with industry legend Peter Hockenhull. They are a Forecourt Trader Award winner for their amazing site The Stage and have one of the best non-fuel offerings around. Joe had a career as a professional boxer whilst working in the family business, giving him a unique perspective on running forecourts.
Joe talks about the pressures of being a young leader, how being a professional boxer relates to being a fuel retailer and why taking feedback onboard is so important.
1 Mar 2024
Fuel Matters Episode 2 - Michael O'Loughlin
As Chief Revenue Officer at EdgePetrol, I've spent the last six years talking to independent fuel retailers and hearing their unique growth stories. In Fuel Matters, we delve into these stories to find the secret sauce that took them from novices to multi million pound business operators.
Today's guest is Michael O'Loughlin. He's best known in the fuel industry for growing the Apple Green UK business and for his time working with Independent Behemoth MFG. His ability to work with people and a keen eye for retail offerings has made him a winner of multiple industry awards.
Michael talks to us about his journey rising through the ranks at Applegreen, how to create well-rounded team members, and how retailers can keep investing into their sites to stay relevant in the future.
As Chief Revenue Officer at EdgePetrol, I've spent the last six years talking to independent fuel retailers and hearing their unique growth stories. In Fuel Matters, we delve into these stories to find the secret sauce that took them from novices to multi million pound business operators.
Today's guest is Hemant Tandon. Hemant currently works as Operations Director at his family business Park Garage Group. They own over 70 petrol stations and are one of the most renowned independent retailers in the UK. Hemant is the epitome of the next generation in the retail fuel market, bringing new ideas and unique ways of working to Park Garage Group.
Hemant talks to us about how to build a winning culture when operating a fuel business, and touches on some tough times whilst looking to what the future may hold for petrol stations.
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