WHY THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTO REPAIR FRANCHISE IS A BEST-BET INVESTMENT FOR THOSE EXITING THE OIL INDUSTRY
The Christian Brothers auto repair franchise opportunity is a welcome opportunity for people who are exiting the oil industry because our brand represents stability. We haven’t closed a single location since we began franchising in 1996 — proof that our business model has long-term staying power and that our owners are running successful business in their communities.
The stability of the Christian Brothers business model is the exact opposite of the volatile ups and downs of the oil industry. The myriad factors that go into that instability have dramatic effects not only on the market, but on careers. A recent article by Politico highlights the climate of uncertainty those in the oil industry are facing:
“The U.S. oil industry has gone from boom to gloom,” the article states. “Oil prices have plunged to half the level they were a year ago, triggering a wave of layoffs and spending cuts even as the Obama administration tightens regulations over how and where the industry can drill.”
Lewis Ten Have, Chief Operating Officer with Christian Brothers, spent several decades in high-profile positions in the oil industry and has firsthand knowledge of the relief that exiting the industry can bring.
“The oil business can sometimes be great, but ultimately, you’re not in control of your future,” Lewis says. “While the large oil companies offer large salaries, you’re never quite sure how long it will last. With Christian Brothers, we know for a fact that the opportunity is there. We have a proven track record of success, and if our franchisees follow our business model, they will be successful. There is also a tremendous amount of joy that comes from owning your own business and being in control of your of own success.”
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS WILL GROW FOR YEARS TO COME
While those in the oil industry wonder if their jobs will exist in the long-term, the Christian Brothers brand is here to stay. In 2012, we celebrated 30 years in business and opened our 100th store. By 2013 we’d grown to more than 110 store locations in 12 states with more than 30 stores in development in six new states. Now, in 2015, we have 150 operating stores in 21 states with 35 more stores under development.
And while we’re growing our number of auto repair franchise locations, our overall average revenue is rising, as well. In our most recent Franchise Disclosure Document, we reported that the average revenue of our auto repair franchise stores increased 4.4% from 2013 to 2014. In 2013, we reported that franchise-owned stores were averaging $1,174,586 in revenue. In 2014, the average revenue number jumped to $1,225,862. The rise in last year’s revenue is even more significant because we included 12 more stores in our calculations.
For Carl Mitchell, who was an oil industry veteran before becoming the owner of a Christian Brothers auto repair franchise in Texas, going into business for himself meant he was free of the uncertainty of the oil industry:
“The oil industry has one of the most demanding schedules of any field that exists,” Carl says. “You can make great money, but you’re going to work for it, and I mean, really work for it. You don’t get time off or any vacation days until you finish a project. It got to a point where I couldn’t rationalize it anymore. I wanted to put in my hard work but also be able to enjoy my weekends. The Christian Brothers franchise model allows me to do that. It also gives me the opportunity to open up a business that lets me walk the Christian walk and be a part of an organization that shares my Christian values.”
A LIGHT IN OUR INDUSTRY
We think a large share of our success is the direct result of our biblical values, which shine in every aspect of our business and are especially present in the hearts of our auto repair franchise owners. We exceed the competition in appearance and performance. Our facilities are gorgeous, solid-brick buildings with lobbies reminiscent of an upscale hotel, complete with comfortable furniture. The bathrooms are clean — just the way you’d want them for a guest at your home — and even the repair bays are immaculate. Our staff is friendly, helpful, and genuinely interested in the needs of the customers. Customers are immediately greeted, asked about their car issues, and offered something to drink.
Our respect for our customers’ time and dignity is evident in the services Christian Brothers offers our customers. Each store has a courtesy shuttle to help customers get to work — or anywhere else — and back while their cars are being repaired. They also don’t have to give up their weekends to having their cars fixed, because at Christian Brothers, we get all the repair work done during the week.
For Shayde Hogue, owner of an auto repair franchise location in Texas, getting out of the oil industry and embarking on a new career as a Christian Brothers franchisee was a chance for him and his wife to live their faith in their business:
“I talked to my wife and said, ‘We have got to find something more stable than the volatile oil industry,’ ” Shayde says. “We started looking at franchises, and during my search I came across Christian Brothers, which looked very promising for me. I was able to do speak to several franchisees, and they highly recommended the business. They told me that the level that the corporate staff supports their franchisees far exceeds any other franchise system. This is a strong Christian organization, which appealed to me from the beginning; it’s something that I think is lacking in the United States. I wasn’t going to get into a company that wasn’t viable, but I’m not going to be here long in this life, and I’d like to be in a business that supports my Christian values. Even if my customers don’t share my values, they understand that they are going to get an honest service. We’re a light in the automotive industry; the quality and integrity of our work is a reflection of the Christian Brothers franchisees’ desire to serve God by serving others.”
Christian Brothers is a highly rated, faith-based, auto repair franchise with a unique financial model. Christian Brothers assumes a majority of the risk by purchasing and constructing “built-to-suit” buildings, where the franchisee becomes the owner/operator. Christian Brothers does not charge a franchisee based on top-line revenues like virtually every other franchisor, but instead on a share of the profits, which is calculated after expenses. Franchisees also pay themselves a salary before they pay the franchisor a nickel.
LEARN MORE ABOUT CHRISTIAN BROTHERS
For in-depth details about the Christian Brothers Automotive franchise opportunity, contact us today.
