Are you Ready To Take The Next Step With Your Business?
You've worked hard to build your customer base but you just can't seem to get ahead. You're working harder and putting in more hours but your savings are not increasing. Why?
The harsh reality is Franchise Identity is an absolute must in today's high paced changing automotive repair market. The numbers are mind-boggling; of all independent non-branded automotive repair businesses 70% don't make it to the 2nd generation? Of those that do, only 18% make it to the 3rd generation! Franchise Identity is an absolute must in today's high paced changing automotive repair market.
Here are some things to think about concerning franchising your business...
People know what they want!
While the automotive repair business is growing, the amount being done by service stations and independent garages is dropping.
People want to take their vehicle to people they know can fix their vehicle and can trust the people doing the work. They want to be treated fairly and do not want to take their vehicle all over town trying to find a shop that is willing to change a water pump or timing chain.
People want to bring their cars to one shop that can do everything from the standard oil change and service to an engine overhaul if necessary. Customers develop confidence in knowing the service personnel and technicians working on their vehicles are knowledgeable and capable of fixing anything that might go wrong with their cars. A life-time customer is born.
Let's say you own a specialty shop franchise, Shop X. A family has been a loyal and faithful customer of your shop for a long time. They have had all their factory scheduled maintenance done with your shop but haven't done any real work with you yet. Now they are having a real drivability problem. Shop X's franchisor will not allow you to work the problem because you're a automotive franchise specialty shop. You are forced to refer the customer to a competitor to do the work that you know could have been performed in your shop. You are upset because you were forced to send a customer to a competitor. The customer is now upset because they have to take the vehicle to another shop. Even worse, the customer will now start taking their vehicle to the competitor you recommended and become a life-time customer of your competitor's shop.
Avoid this scenario by aligning yourself with a franchise that can offer multiple services and has the support of the franchisor to do whatever is necessary to keep that customer from going to another shop.
Independent Shops on the Decline.
The bay count for independent auto repair service outlets has dropped 113% in the ten years since 1998. However, automotive aftermarket repair shops (like Mad Hatter) saw their bay count increase 23% during the same period - an increase of over 35,000 bays!*
You have the technical knowledge to do the repairs. You have the professionalism. But you do not have the name recognition necessary to take your business to the next level. Don't let your business become another statistic.
These numbers help prove the statement that consumers are being ever more selective in who they choose to work on their vehicles.
Are You Your Business? If so, maybe you need to rethink your goals.
And when it's time for you to settle back and enjoy what you've created - or it's time for you to change the direction of your career - then what? What happens to your business? If you choose to sell your automotive repair business, you might get what it is worth to you. Without your presence, perhaps not.
Maybe you'll leave your automotive repair business to a family member. Will it be as valuable an asset as when you operated it? Possibly not. Why? In both cases, simply put, your auto repair business might not have the same value because YOU won't be there. Without you there may be no brand equity, no image to continue the customer loyalty.
Add Reputation to your business by adding Mad Hatter!
The assets you're looking for can be found in the Mad Hatter automotive aftermarket repair franchising program. Mad Hatter Automotive Centers have built their reputation, like you, on years of hard work, constant attention to building consumer trust and confidence.
Mad Hatter has a solid reputation for professional service and fairness. All of which are what the consumer expects and demands. That's the equity that comes with Name Recognition. Equity that can be yours to help you grow your automotive repair business and equity to pass along when it's time for you to put your transmission in neutral!
The future is in your hands NOW!
Planning now for the future makes as much good sense in business as it does in your personal life. People are often surprised at how fast "Tomorrow" turns into "Today". It should concern you that the decline of automotive service stations continues. There were only 148,000 automotive service stations and garages at mid-year, 1999.* This is a decline of nearly 14% since 1990 - a loss of 24,000 outlets.* Making some important decisions NOW about the future can help ensure that your business - what you've worked hard to create and grow - will move forward and continue to grow energetically. Planning now helps you now...and will help you down the road! Plan ahead with Mad Hatter automotive franchise opportunities!
To get answers to all of your questions, contact your Franchise Development Specialist!
