Are You Considering Joining a Franchise?

[Joe Marconi]

There appears to be a push from many franchise institutions such as Midas, Mineke and others urging independents to become franchises. With the economic climate the way it is these days, are there any shop owners out there that may be considering this option?

[autoguy]

There appears to be a push from many franchise institutions such as Midas, Mineke and others urging independents to become franchises. With the economic climate the way it is these days, are there any shop owners out there that may be considering this option?

 

Just pick your choice, there are websites geared towards this!

 

 

http://www.automotivefranchise.com/autorepair.asp

[autoguy]

Just reviving this thread. Fanchise fees could be a killer to a starting shop. I think that buying an existing franchise witha customer base is ok, starting new in this economic climate is not a good idea.

 

If you are thinking of making your existing shop a franchise, you should weigh out what the advantages if that woudl be vs. the cost of the program. The biggest advantages are the national advertising and POP material, in my opinion. BUT, if they run a $19.99 oi change...so do you.

[Joe Marconi]

You make great points. I don't think that a shop has to become part of franchise. But, while studying how to grow my business I looked at the franchise business design and a lot of their basic business principles work.

 

Franchises promote an atmosphere where people are more apt to buy. There is something to be said about a clean, flashy environment. Franchises have a business plan; they practice consistency and do a lot of marketing. Our industry could learn a few lessons from them.

[autoguy]

Franchises have a business plan; they practice consistency and do a lot of marketing. Our industry could learn a few lessons from them.

 

Keyword: consistency

[xrac]

There appears to be a push from many franchise institutions such as Midas, Mineke and others urging independents to become franchises. With the economic climate the way it is these days, are there any shop owners out there that may be considering this option?

 

 

We are a Car-X franchise (http://www.carx.com/). I came into this industry with no automotive background at all. The franchise gave me tools to succeed although it was a long hard pull. It would have been very, very difficult to do what we did without the guidance the franchise gave. However, once we were successfully operating the franchise does little for me. The Car-X name is not a strong brand in this part of the country. Based upon what I NOW KNOW if I were opening a new shop today would I be a franchise? Probably not! I would think long and hard about it because of the fees. But with that said I have also gained a BUSINESS perspective of what it takes to succeed by being a franchisee that some independents lack.

Edited April 15, 2009 by xrac

[Joe Marconi]

Most shop owners were techs that became business owners. The skills for fixing cars are quite different from the skill needed to fix a business.

 

I think all shop owners can benefit from management and finical training. Too many shop owners spend countless hours wearing all the hats of their operation, literally killing themselves. This is due to their lack of business education.

 

Shop owners need to take a few lessons from the franchise world, create a plan, systems and policy. The best run businesses are those that can operate without the owner.