When it comes to servicing a vehicle, most car owners would be able to attest to the stress that often comes with the process. Whether it’s a lack of transparent costs or unreliability in services, auto repairs and window tinting can be a complicated process to navigate without a reasonable level of savvy. By Tamara Rahoumi
How To Build a Value-Driven Auto Business
When it comes to servicing a vehicle, most car owners would be able to attest to the stress that often comes with the process. Whether it’s a lack of transparent costs or unreliability in services, auto repairs and window tinting can be a complicated process to navigate without a reasonable level of savvy. However, as older cars continue to make up a rising share of vehicles on the road, reliable auto services have become increasingly essential.
Mr. Transmission/Milex is a business changing the auto repair landscape by leading with trust.
“Nobody knows what’s wrong with their car,” said Pete Baldine, president of Moran Family of Brands, which is the franchisor of Mr. Transmission/Milex. “It’s a mystery to you when your car breaks down. So, naturally, there’s a skepticism there, and everybody has that fear that a repair shop isn’t being honest. At Mr. Transmission/Milex, we provide the operational support, marketing support and technical support to the franchisees so that they can focus instead on building trusting relationships with their customers. That then alleviates that fear.”
Baldine noted that, once that trust is established, a customer can confidently rely on Mr. Transmission/Milex for all their auto needs because it’s a true one-stop shop. Whether it’s tending to a customer’s brakes, doing oil changes or making major repairs, the business has the capability of doing it all.
This value-driven ethos of Mr. Transmission/Milex has paved the way for an undeniably sustainable and effective business model. This is evident in the brand’s impressive year-over-year growth – a 24% system-wide increase in 2021 and another 20% growth layered onto that in 2022, according to Baldine, as well as the tremendous success that franchisees have seen over time.
“Around 33% of our franchisees have been in the system for 20 years or more,” said Baldine. “And 16% of them have been in for 30 years or more. Many of these franchisees are also on their second or third franchise license agreement. So they obviously believe it’s a good system to be in.”
Baldine noted that because customer service is the true crux of this brand’s distinction, it’s one of the key things that the support center looks for when bringing on new owners. As for auto expertise? He says that it’s definitely not a prerequisite of starting a Mr. Transmission/Milex franchise. In fact, the lack of auto experience is considered an asset when a prospective owner is new to the space.
“We’re typically not looking for somebody who is a professional in the automotive industry,” said Baldine. “That’s because they come with years of experience of doing things a certain way, and it might be contrary to our business system. We’re looking for successful business people who know about customer service and how to build a team and lead.”
Mr. Transmission/Milex franchise opportunities are available in various high-growth markets across the country, particularly within the Midwest, Upper Midwest, South, Southeast and Southwest.
Tamara Rahoumi