Moran Family of Brands believes automotive franchisees display a unique set of traits that ensure profitability and success.
People rely on their vehicles to enable them to work and ferry their children from place to place, and many feel an emotional attachment to their wheels. According to a survey conducted by Autotrader.com, more than 70 percent of respondents feel "very attached" or "somewhat attached" to their cars. Providing customer service and building trust are essential when performing car repairs. Customers need to be sure they are paying a fair price for superior service to encourage repeat business. Knowing your own strengths and weaknesses will help you build a staff that will allow your business to flourish.
The number of registered motor vehicles in the United States is rising, and Americans are spending more money than ever on car maintenance and repair. In the first quarter of 2020, there were about 233,400 auto repair and maintenance centers in the United States, according to Statista, a provider of market and consumer data. While market research indicates the automotive industry is booming, successful automotive franchisees all share a similar set of traits. Here are the top traits of successful automotive franchisees.
Leadership. Automotive franchisees need to be good leaders to keep employees happy and communicate effectively with customers. Satisfied employees are willing to put in the hard work to deliver stellar customer service, which will help a franchisee prosper. Customers need to feel confident their car repair will go smoothly and are impressed with a franchisee that runs their business like a well-oiled machine.
Follows Rules. Franchisees have the benefit of operating a proven business model with brand recognition. The franchisor provides a template they need to follow to achieve success. Franchisors offer marketing programs designed to grow each location’s business and extensive training for new business owners. Franchisees are also required to follow the company’s policies and guidelines. If your entrepreneurial spirit does not include following rules, you probably will not succeed as an automotive franchisee.
Patience. Unlike other industries, automotive franchisees frequently have to deal with customers who do not understand how their cars function under the hood. Convincing customers what repairs they need takes patience and calm, especially when customers hear the price of the fix.
“People know when you’re here to help them and are genuinely concerned about their vehicle and the repair,” said Susan Trumble, owner of the Mr. Transmission/Milex Complete Auto Care store in Florence, Kentucky.
Adaptability. Customer trends and technology innovations require franchisees to change their offerings over time. Being able to keep pace with market trends is one of the benefits of being a franchisee. The parent company has a team of hard-working people who create new products and services. But it’s up to the franchisee to learn the ropes as new products and services hit the pipeline.
“As customers’ needs and desires change and the technology changes, business owners need to adapt to stay relevant,” said Randy Durham, owner of Alta Mere location in Plano, Texas. “Being part of a franchise system helps us to do that. Franchisees sharing their experiences and franchisor support help us stay on our game.”
Resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic this year created numerous challenges for small businesses across the country. While auto repair shops were classified as essential and able to remain open, they needed to adapt to necessary safety protocols and pivot their business models to generate sales. This included following social distancing guidelines, cleaning the interior before and after they are in the vehicle, wearing gloves, and face masks. Moran franchisees also provided pick-up and drop-off of vehicles for repair work.
Hard Working. While franchising offers a path to success, operating any business requires hard work and dedication. Automotive franchisees need to understand back-office operations to be able to successfully communicate with car owners, and they need to dedicate energy to front-office operations required for growing their customer base.
If you think you display the traits needed to succeed in the automotive industry, contact Moran Family of Brands to learn more about their franchising options.