Podcast: Fuel, Food & First Impressions
Published on: Aug 1, 2025
In this episode of Talks on Mobility, Oscar Smith Diamante is joined by co-host Mike Zahajko (CAF) for a deep dive into what defines a standout customer experience with Lonnie J. McQuirter (36 Lyn Refuel Station) and Alicia Cruzado Lopez (Repsol). Together, they unpack the rising expectations around operational standards, consistency, cleanliness and service in the age of foodvenience.
Lonnie J. McQuirter
As the Director of Operations at 36 Lyn Refuel Station, Lonnie J. McQuirter leads a dynamic team and drives the strategic growth of the business. Since 2005, he has focused on building a brand that not only meets its community’s needs but also stands out in a competitive retail landscape.
"We are starting to see that there's preferential treatment for online reviews and other things that are demonstrating that the retailer is taking steps to create those great customer experiences."
Alicia Cruzado Lopez
Alicia Cruzado Lopez is Senior Manager of Franchise & New Business Development at Repsol. After starting in HR, she transitioned to retail operations, managing 300 service stations in northwest Spain. She later led 900 company-operated sites from Madrid, gaining deep operational expertise, which led to her joining the mobility strategy team to design and create SuperCor Stop & Go, a franchise format co-developed alongside El Corte Inglés to bring supermarket convenience to Repsol’s service stations.
"If you want to have an amazing customer experience, the employees are the key. It's part of how you sell your products."
Mike Zahajko
In his current role as Executive Vice President of Sales for CAF Outdoor Cleaning, Mike Zahajko works closely with over 50 of the top 100 largest c-store retailers and grocery stores in the U.S and now across Europe. CAF is the industry leader in supplying cleaning products to support stores to differentiate with clean, grow sales and improve profitability.
"A lot of times I hear companies saying 'Back to basics,' it sounds so simple but the basics of retail really drives and makes a big impact."
