Zero-preserving linear operator on continuous functions ($Z_f\subseteq Z_{Lf}⟹Lf=(L1)f$)

If a linear operator on real continuous functions preserves every zero, evaluate $f-f(x)1$ at $x$. The zero-preserving hypothesis forces $Lf(x)=f(x)L1(x)$, so the operator is multiplication by the continuous function $L1$. Positivity further makes that multiplier nonnegative; linearity and zero preservation alone already give the multiplication representation.