OUR FRANCHISEES SAY WHY THEY’RE PROUD TO BE A LIGHT IN THE INDUSTRY FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES
Jade Stanford and his wife, Jennifer, surrounded by their six children. Jade says “the ‘Nice Difference’ you find at Christian Brothers is about offering a little bit more consideration, taking a little bit more time to listen to people when they’re explaining what their issues are, and also taking a little bit more time when we explain to them what our findings are with their vehicle.”
Every company needs something that really sets it apart from competitors, something that brings customers in the door, not just the first time, but again and again. For Christian Brothers Automotive franchisees, that difference comes from a commitment to honor God in the way we run our business, which has translated into a caring attitude and commitment to treating customers the way we’d want to be treated.
“When dealing with customers, you look and see Jesus there and ask yourself what would he do in this situation,” said Chip Fenner, another Houston-based franchisee. “How would you treat your mom? You’d take care of her the right way. That kind of thinking is really what guides us, and we trust God for the results.”
Franchise Business Review has named Christian Brothers Automotive the best auto repair franchise for five years in a row.
THE NICE DIFFERENCE
The Nice Difference doesn’t just mean smiling and saying hello when customers walk in the door. It means treating them the way they deserve the entire time we’re working with them, not just fixing their problems but explaining them in ways they can understand. It means making things as convenient as possible for our customers through services like the complimentary shuttle, which helps customers get where they need to be during their repairs.
“I think the ‘Nice Difference’ is about offering a little bit more consideration, taking a little bit more time to listen to people when they’re explaining what their issues are, and also taking a little bit more time when we explain to them what our findings are with their vehicle.” said franchisee Jade Stanford from Concord, North Carolina. “We treat people as guests, not just customers.”
It’s not just the customers who benefit from this. Employees are proud to work for a company with such a strong commitment to its Christian values, and that shines through in the work they perform for the customers.
“A lot of our technicians love the job because they get to work for someone who is ethical and honest. Christian Brothers’ mission attracts them. These are very knowledgeable guys who are really proud of their work, and when we bring a customer into the garage to explain a repair to them, and they get to see the customer who they are helping, it makes a difference,” said Amy Stehr, who owns the Rockwall, Texas, store with her husband Mark. “Plus, we really are a family. I know everybody’s likes and dislikes. And since we’re closed on Saturdays, they get to spend important time with their families.”
Kim and Paul Stehr have been Christian Brothers Automotive franchise owners since 2011.
A GROWING BUSINESS BUILT ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
As important as all this is, the first priority for any business is to give the customers services they need. After more than 30 years in business and with 150 locations and counting, it’s safe to say that’s exactly what Christian Brothers provides.
“My research indicated that auto repair is a very resilient business and continues to be something that everybody needs,” said retired Col. Jud Cook. Cook and his wife, Jenny, own the location in Riverview, Florida. “They’re keeping cars longer, the cars are older and they need more repairs. When the economy improves, more people buy new cars, which will mean more cars on the road that will need repairs.”
Once they made the decision to open an auto repair shop, the choice to go with Christian Brothers was easy.
“The bottom line, as much as everyone wants to make a good living, that wasn’t the be-all and end-all. Researching other companies, you got the feeling that was their be-all and end-all. Christian Brothers is looking for partners who can grow with the company and want to do things the right way,” said Jenny. “It felt as though God had prepared a place for us.”
OWN A CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE FRANCHISE
Founded in Houston in 1982, Christian Brothers is an automotive repair facility based on a core philosophy of honesty, integrity, reliability and exceptional customer service. The company provides full-service automotive repair for all domestic and foreign vehicles, and prides itself on providing a pleasant, professional and clean automotive service experience every time. The company’s service model includes courtesy shuttles that make it easy for customers to drop their car off and get a ride to home or work. When the car is ready, they pick their customers up. This makes it easy for customers to have their vehicle serviced Monday-Friday. It also makes it possible for Christian Brothers to close on the weekends, and allow franchisees and employees to spend that time with their families, church, and friends.
If you’d like to learn more about owning your own Christian Brothers franchise, contact us to learn more. We’d love to start a conversation with you.
