We demonstrate our belief that franchisees deserve to feel secure and supported from the very beginning of their franchise journey and throughout their time as owners. That’s why we provide detailed training and support to each of our franchise partners on an ongoing basis. This includes insight and guidance on leadership and business management, operations and workflow, guest satisfaction and service, marketing and recruiting, automotive systems and computer software, as well as benefits and HR.
With the backing of our organization, the unknowns of owning your own business are no longer a worry. Here are a few ways we offer continued learning and guidance for our franchisees:
PREPARING NEW OWNERS
Over the course of their first year, new franchisees who join our system receive extensive training to ensure no questions go unanswered, and that they are set up to run successful businesses. We don’t aim to make our franchisees car experts – instead, we teach them business instincts to supplement already existing fundamental brand characteristics like honesty and compassion. Our franchisees embody these characteristics, and it’s part of how our business sets itself apart through the Christian Brothers Automotive Nice Difference®. We prioritize putting our guests at ease and making their experience a positive one.
Additionally, our Certified Field Trainers (CFT), experienced and savvy existing franchisees, provide great shadowing opportunities for new owners. New franchisees shadow their CFT for two weeks, learning more about back-office procedures, how to lead team meetings and setting goals for their employees. Along with shadowing a Certified Field Trainer, owners also get access to a Marketing Coaching team to guide them with their local marketing efforts for their store opening and beyond. These marketing specialists provide a wide breadth of resources to Christian Brothers Automotive franchisees including consultation, marketing assistance, advertising and promotional activities. The 10-month marketing onboarding process includes a training schedule that educates owners on all tools at their disposal.
Also important is ensuring our new owners are confident as advocates of our brand. CBA 101 is our franchisor-led approach that guides new owners on a path to success for their business. The weeklong class covers topics like accounting and recruiting best practices, how to effectively communicate with guests and so much more.
ONGOING SUPPORT
Even after a new location’s grand opening, the support franchisees receive from our team doesn’t end. With monthly or quarterly meetings with the Marketing Coaching team, owners are given a customized approach for all of their shop’s local promotional needs. Operations Coaches offer another consultant perspective for owners, providing peer group support and tactics for excelling within all of our major key performance indicators. Plus, for every two franchisees in our system, there is one dedicated Home Office team member to help them along the way. We also proactively monitor store marketing metrics to provide key insights and consult on what strategies can best aid in achieving our franchisees’ annual goals.
Furthermore, our technological learning system that we’ve coined “the flywheel” allows service teams and technicians to access user friendly curriculum. Having all their resources in one place has allowed our franchise owners to grow their automotive industry knowledge and connect with others in our system, creating an exceptional sense of community.
In addition to marketing guidance, our dedicated Recruiting Team assists franchisees in actively managing job openings for stores, recruiting technicians and service writers. We don’t expect every franchisee entering our system to have expansive knowledge on the hiring process, and we’re here to help provide support to ensure their Christian Brothers Automotive location is complete with a team of skilled and compassionate team members.
Our goal isn't to turn each franchisee into an automotive expert – in fact, a majority of our most successful owners had no prior experience in the automotive industry at all! Instead, we aim to give franchisees the knowledge and tools to maximize their profit potential and positively impact their community. Read more about what it takes to become a Christian Brothers Automotive franchisee on our website.
