Fixed Ops Roundtable

Ted Ings
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The Fixed Ops Roundtable, hosted by Ted Ings, is your source for cutting edge information, technology, and best practices from leaders and innovators in the retail automobile industry. Enjoy weekly episodes featuring expert interviews that originally aired during Ted Ings popular Fixed Ops Roundtable live and virtual events.

  1. 4D AGO

    How ALLDATA Is Changing Fixed Ops Through Better Data and Workflow with Erik Zuniga

    What if the biggest opportunity in Fixed Ops right now isn’t working harder… but removing the friction that’s wearing your people down? In this episode of the Fixed Ops Roundtable, I sit down with Erik Zuniga of ALLDATA Automotive Intelligence for a real conversation about what’s actually changing inside dealership service departments, and why the dealers who win next will be the ones who obsess over people, process, and data. This isn’t a surface-level tech talk. It’s a grounded, practical discussion about technicians, workflow, recon, and leadership, straight from the trenches. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: Why technician retention isn’t just about pay - Erik breaks down how wasted time, missing information, and broken workflows quietly burn techs out, and how giving them the right tools changes everything.The hidden cost of “searching for information”- We talk about the reality that techs lose up to 20% of their day hunting for specs, diagrams, and procedures, and what happens when that friction disappears.Career paths vs. just jobs - From mentorship to mastery, we explore how technology and training help dealerships create careers that techs want to stay in.Recon bottlenecks and the money sitting on the table - Used cars are driving profitability, but only if recon moves fast. Erik shares how shared data and digital workflows eliminate delays between service, parts, and sales.Why data is no longer optional leadership tooling - With vehicles aging past 12 years and DMS systems lagging behind, we talk about how smarter data usage leads to better decisions, better customer experiences, and better margins.What Fixed Ops leaders should focus on heading into 2026 - People. Process. Technology. Real priorities that will separate proactive leaders from reactive ones.There’s also a standout moment where Erik shares how ALLDATA supports dealerships with on-demand master technician assistance, a resource more dealers should be leaning on, especially when staffing gets tight. Listen to the episode featuring Erik Zuniga for even more insights! Enjoying The Fixed Ops Roundtable Podcast? Please leave a rating and review 👇 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fixed-ops-roundtable/id1608656237 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15HHYoyvCo1PSFwYn02UXY Thanks, Erik Zuniga Connect with Ted Ings and the Fixed Ops Roundtable: Register for the next Fixed Ops Roundtable EventTed Ings on LinkedInCenter for Performance Improvement

    17 min

  2. FEB 23

    How Alliance Dealer Solutions Helps Dealerships Operate at Their Highest Potential with Brandon Hall

    What if the biggest competitive advantage in Fixed Ops isn’t technology… but hospitality? That’s the question at the heart of this episode of the Fixed Ops Roundtable, and once you hear this conversation, you won’t look at porters, greeters, car wash, or pickup & delivery the same way again. In this episode, I’m joined by Brandon Hall, Vice President of Alliance Dealer Solutions, alongside my co-host Sarah Vantine, for a wide-ranging, high-energy conversation about why hospitality has become the new currency in today’s dealership experience. Brandon pulls back the curtain on how Alliance partners with dealerships across the country to help them focus on what they do best, selling and fixing cars, while his team elevates everything that surrounds that moment. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: Why hospitality isn’t just for front-of-house roles, and how it impacts CSI more than most dealers realizeThe real difference between a staffing partner and a temp agency (this one’s big)How seamless integration makes Alliance team members feel like dealership employees, not outsidersWhy greeting, cleanliness, and the handoff experience can make or break a customer relationshipHow pickup & delivery unlocks technician capacity, scheduling flexibility, and customer loyaltyThe behind-the-scenes systems Alliance uses to train, measure, and coach for quality, without a “gotcha” cultureHow dealerships can adapt to seasonal labor challenges without sacrificing consistencyThis episode is packed with practical insight, real-world examples, and a refreshing perspective on people, process, and culture. If you’ve ever felt the tension between wanting an elevated guest experience and struggling to staff, train, or manage those roles effectively, this conversation is for you. Hit play to hear why hospitality is no longer a “nice to have,” how it’s reshaping Fixed Ops, and what forward-thinking dealers are doing right now to stand out. Listen to the episode featuring Brandon Hall for even more insights! Enjoying The Fixed Ops Roundtable Podcast? Please leave a rating and review 👇 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fixed-ops-roundtable/id1608656237 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15HHYoyvCo1PSFwYn02UXY Thanks, Brandon Hall Connect with Ted Ings and the Fixed Ops Roundtable: Register for the next Fixed Ops Roundtable EventTed Ings on LinkedInCenter for Performance Improvement

    22 min

  3. FEB 16

    The Myth of Fixed Costs: How Dealers Are Overpaying Without Realizing It with Steve Thompson

    What if the “fixed costs” you’ve accepted for years… aren’t actually fixed at all? That’s the question that kicks off this episode, and trust me, once we pulled on that thread, the whole sweater started to unravel. In this Fixed Ops Roundtable conversation, I’m joined by Steve Thompson of Integrity Cost Consulting, Shon Kingrey from Kayser Automotive Group, along with Sarah Vantine, and we go straight at one of the most dangerous assumptions in dealership operations: that overhead is just the cost of doing business and not worth revisiting. Spoiler alert: that assumption is costing dealers a lot more than they realize. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: Why “fixed costs” are often anything but fixed, and how contract drift quietly eats away at profitabilityReal-world stories of uniforms, laundry, telecom, waste, and utilities ballooning without anyone noticingShon’s no-BS take on contracts, guarantees, and why “handshakes” sometimes outperform legal fine printHow small, unchecked line items turn into six-figure losses across multi-rooftop groupsThe power of benchmarking beyond your own stores, and why most dealers are benchmarking the wrong wayHow Steve’s team finds refunds, negotiates better rates, and monitors vendors so dealers don’t have toWhy saving money isn’t just about dollars, it’s about what those dollars can fund: people, growth, and peace of mindThere’s a moment in this conversation where it really hits you: A few percentage points here and there can equal an entire employee, or more, every single year. If you’re building budgets, planning for 2026, or just trying to protect profitability in a tighter market, this episode will absolutely challenge how you think about expenses you’ve probably ignored for far too long. Listen to the episode featuring Steve Thompson & Shon Kingrey for even more insights! Enjoying The Fixed Ops Roundtable Podcast? Please leave a rating and review 👇 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fixed-ops-roundtable/id1608656237 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15HHYoyvCo1PSFwYn02UXY Thanks, Steve Thompson & Shon Kingrey Connect with Ted Ings and the Fixed Ops Roundtable: Register for the next Fixed Ops Roundtable EventTed Ings on LinkedInCenter for Performance Improvement

    19 min

  4. FEB 9

    How PayJunction Is Helping Dealerships Create Frictionless Payments in Fixed Ops Without Hurting CSI with Randy Modos

    What if the last thing your customer experiences, 'the payment' became one of your biggest competitive advantages? In this episode of the Fixed Ops Roundtable, we sit down with Randy Modos, Co-Founder and President of PayJunction, for a conversation that goes way beyond credit card terminals and transaction fees. This is about friction, freedom of choice, and the future of fixed ops profitability, all without sacrificing CSI. Joined by Sarah Vantine, Randy and I unpack what a truly frictionless payment experience looks like today, for customers, advisors, controllers, and ownership alike. From text-to-pay and cards on file to no-code integrations and smart surcharging, this conversation hits at the heart of a problem every dealership feels… even if they haven’t fully named it yet. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: What “frictionless” really means, for customers and employeesWhy re-keying data is silently killing efficiency (and morale)How no-code payment integrations are giving dealerships back control and choiceThe truth about smart surcharging, and why it doesn’t hurt CSI when done rightHow customer-facing terminals eliminate confusion, compliance risk, and training fatigueWhy controllers care so deeply about payments (and why you should too)Real numbers: how dealers are saving six figures per rooftop annuallyThis isn’t theory. It’s practical, real-world insight from someone living at the intersection of technology, fixed ops, and dealership economics. Listen to the episode featuring Randy Modos for even more insights! Enjoying The Fixed Ops Roundtable Podcast? Please leave a rating and review 👇 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fixed-ops-roundtable/id1608656237 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15HHYoyvCo1PSFwYn02UXY Thanks, Randy Modos Connect with Ted Ings and the Fixed Ops Roundtable: Register for the next Fixed Ops Roundtable EventTed Ings on LinkedInCenter for Performance Improvement

    20 min

  5. FEB 2

    What High-End Hotels Know About the Service Drive That Dealers Don’t with Joel Furno

    What if the fastest way to improve CSI, advisor productivity, and even used car acquisition… wasn’t another process, but a better experience? In this episode of the Fixed Ops Roundtable, I sit down with Joel Furno, Founder & CEO of Citrin Automotive Hospitality, alongside Ed Roberts of Bozard Ford Lincoln, and we go deep on something the industry talks about a lot, but rarely executes at a world-class level: hospitality on the service drive. Joel’s story alone is worth hitting play. He started with $200, a valet company, and a hospitality mindset rooted in high-end hotels and restaurants, then accidentally stumbled into automotive and realized something big was missing. What followed was a complete reframe of how dealerships should think about porters, valets, hourly employees, and the service drive experience as a whole. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: Why hospitality is not a “nice-to-have,” but a performance multiplierHow most dealerships unintentionally turn service managers into the most expensive porters in the buildingThe hidden cost of 300–400% turnover in hourly roles, and how to fix itJoel’s 3% hiring philosophy and why standards matter more than speedHow investing slightly more in hourly employees unlocks massive ROIA fascinating new approach to vehicle acquisition through the service drive, without salespeople swarming customersWhy valets are the true bookends of the dealership experienceAnd how taking care of “the little guys” builds your next generation of advisors, managers, and leadersThere are moments in this episode, especially when Joel breaks down hiring, retention, and purpose, that you’ll want to rewind and listen to again. If you care about culture, efficiency, customer experience, and long-term growth, this is one of those conversations that sticks with you. Listen to the episode featuring Joel Furno & Ed Roberts for even more insights! Enjoying The Fixed Ops Roundtable Podcast? Please leave a rating and review 👇 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fixed-ops-roundtable/id1608656237 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15HHYoyvCo1PSFwYn02UXY Thanks, Joel Furno & Ed Roberts Connect with Ted Ings and the Fixed Ops Roundtable: Register for the next Fixed Ops Roundtable EventTed Ings on LinkedInCenter for Performance Improvement

    23 min

  6. JAN 26

    Service Retention Study: How BG Products Helped Dealers Increase Retention by 32% with Rob Leary

    What if one simple decision in your service drive could boost customer retention by nearly a third? That’s not a theory, that’s real data. And in this episode of the Fixed Ops Roundtable, I sit down with longtime friend of the show and industry heavyweight Rob Leary from BG Products to unpack a study that honestly stopped me in my tracks. We’re talking real VIN-level data. Real dealerships. Real results. And insights every fixed ops leader needs to hear as they plan for the road ahead. Rob breaks down the BG Service Retention Study, and more importantly, what it actually means for dealers today, not in a spreadsheet, but in the real world of service lanes, advisors, and customers who may or may not come back. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: Why BG analyzed data from 263 dealerships across virtually every OEM, and what stunned them when they saw the resultsHow customers who purchased BG services showed 29–32% higher retention than those who didn’tThe role digital menus, advisor consistency, and BG’s Lifetime Protection Plan play in keeping customers loyalHow BG’s Hyper BI reporting tool is helping dealers uncover hundreds of thousands of dollars in parts and labor liftWhy retention, not conquest, is the real profit multiplier (and what OEM and McKinsey data proves about it)How dealers should be thinking right now as they build their 2026 fixed ops strategyThis episode isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a data-backed conversation about why customers come back, what keeps them engaged, and how service departments can stop guessing and start executing with confidence. If you care about retention, profitability, and making smarter decisions backed by real numbers, this episode is for you. Listen to the episode featuring Rob Leary for even more insights! Enjoying The Fixed Ops Roundtable Podcast? Please leave a rating and review 👇 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fixed-ops-roundtable/id1608656237 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15HHYoyvCo1PSFwYn02UXY Thanks, Rob Leary Connect with Ted Ings and the Fixed Ops Roundtable: Register for the next Fixed Ops Roundtable EventTed Ings on LinkedInCenter for Performance Improvement

    12 min

  7. JAN 19

    The Warranty Money Dealers Are Leaving on the Table (And How to Get It Back) with Robert Wooden

    What if one of the easiest ways to protect your dealership’s future profit is something you’re already entitled to, but probably underutilizing? In this episode, I’m joined by my co-host Sarah Vantine and industry veteran Robert Wooden for a conversation that every fixed ops leader needs to hear, especially as we look ahead to 2026. Robert has spent nearly three decades living and breathing fixed operations, and in this episode, he pulls back the curtain on warranty uplift, why it matters more now than ever, why so many dealers leave money on the table, and how the landscape is shifting as vehicles become more complex, more electric, and more expensive to repair. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: Why warranty reimbursement isn’t just about dealer profit—but about people, pay plans, training, and retentionThe biggest mistakes dealers make when they try to handle warranty uplift internallyHow EVs and hybrid vehicles are changing the rules around labor, parts, and manufacturer pushbackWhat happens when a manufacturer pushes back—and why experience matters in those momentsWhy warranty uplift is one of the lowest-hanging profit opportunities heading into 2026How dealers can evaluate their opportunity with zero upfront riskThis is one of those conversations that feels practical, real, and immediately actionable. Just hard-earned insight from someone who’s been in the trenches, made the mistakes, fought the battles, and figured out how to win, without burning bridges. If you’re a fixed ops manager, service director, or GM who’s staring down this year’s forecast and wondering where the profit is going to come from… this episode might just change how you think about warranty forever. Listen to the episode featuring Robert Wooden for even more insights! Enjoying The Fixed Ops Roundtable Podcast? Please leave a rating and review 👇 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fixed-ops-roundtable/id1608656237 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15HHYoyvCo1PSFwYn02UXY Thanks, Robert Wooden Connect with Ted Ings and the Fixed Ops Roundtable: Register for the next Fixed Ops Roundtable EventTed Ings on LinkedInCenter for Performance Improvement

    19 min

  8. JAN 12

    Why Fixed Ops Will Decide Who Wins in Automotive Retail in 2026 with Steve Greenfield

    What happens when car prices hit record highs, consumers feel the squeeze, and dealers are forced to play a smarter game, not a harder one? In this episode of The Fixed Ops Roundtable, Sarah Vantine sits down with Steve Greenfield, General Partner at Automotive Ventures, for a wide-ranging conversation about where automotive retail is really headed, and why fixed operations may be the most important lever dealers have right now. Steve brings a rare vantage point to the table. With nearly 50 early-stage investments across dealer-facing technology, he sees the future before most of us ever feel it. And in this conversation, he doesn’t hold back. 👉 Register for the upcoming Fixed Ops Roundtable Event What we discuss in this episode: Why dealers can’t control the economy, but they can control fixed opsHow rising vehicle prices, negative equity, and interest rates are reshaping consumer behaviorThe first real wave of AI hitting fixed operations (and why it’s starting with phone calls)How smarter scheduling, service videos, and automation are transforming the customer experienceWhat dealers can learn from companies like BusyCar, MoreCloud, and TruVideoWhy global pressure—especially from China’s automotive market—will change repair costs, loyalty, and profitabilityThe evolving role of the technician and why this might actually attract the next generationHow dealers should think about vendor selection without getting overwhelmed at events like NADAThis episode is packed with practical insights, real examples, and forward-looking ideas that matter right now, especially if you’re trying to future-proof your service department while everyone else is still chasing the front end. If you’re a dealer, operator, or industry leader wondering where to focus next, this is one of those conversations that helps you see the board more clearly. Listen to the episode featuring Steve Greenfield for even more insights! Enjoying The Fixed Ops Roundtable Podcast? Please leave a rating and review 👇 Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fixed-ops-roundtable/id1608656237 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/15HHYoyvCo1PSFwYn02UXY Thanks, Steve Greenfield Connect with Ted Ings and the Fixed Ops Roundtable: Register for the next Fixed Ops Roundtable EventTed Ings on LinkedInCenter for Performance Improvement

    21 min
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About

The Fixed Ops Roundtable, hosted by Ted Ings, is your source for cutting edge information, technology, and best practices from leaders and innovators in the retail automobile industry. Enjoy weekly episodes featuring expert interviews that originally aired during Ted Ings popular Fixed Ops Roundtable live and virtual events.

Information

  • Creator
    Ted Ings
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    269
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fixed Ops Roundtable
  • Show Website
    Fixed Ops Roundtable

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