When Barb Moran acquired her parents’ shares of Moran Family of Brands in 2010, she embarked on a transformative journey that has reshaped the company’s approach to franchising in the automotive industry. Under her leadership, Moran Family of Brands has become a standout in the franchise world, not just for its continued business success, but for its unique commitment to putting both the franchisees and customers at the center of its business strategy. In an industry where franchise systems often operate with a top-down approach, Moran has pioneered a more collaborative, franchisee-focused model, fostering an environment where strong relationships, trust and mutual growth are paramount. By Amanda Maquet
Special Section: Women in Franchising
When Barb Moran acquired her parents’ shares of Moran Family of Brands in 2010, she embarked on a transformative journey that has reshaped the company’s approach to franchising in the automotive industry. Under her leadership, Moran Family of Brands has become a standout in the franchise world, not just for its continued business success, but for its unique commitment to putting both the franchisees and customers at the center of its business strategy. In an industry where franchise systems often operate with a top-down approach, Moran has pioneered a more collaborative, franchisee-focused model, fostering an environment where strong relationships, trust and mutual growth are paramount.
From the beginning, Moran prioritized the philosophy and core values that have long defined the brand. She understood that true success in franchising would come not just from expanding locations, but from creating lasting, meaningful relationships with franchisees. By working closely with the individuals running Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care and Turbo Tint locations across the country, Moran has been able to fine-tune the business model to better serve both the franchisees and the customers.
One of Moran’s key strategies has been maintaining open channels of communication with franchisees, ensuring they feel heard, supported and empowered. Her commitment to listening and adapting to the needs of the people on the front lines – those operating the franchise locations – has led to continuous improvements in both service delivery and operational efficiency.
A prime example of Moran’s collaborative philosophy came in the development of Turbo Tint, a brand focused on high-quality automotive window tinting services. Rather than introducing this new brand on her own, Moran Family of Brands collaborated with a franchisee to conceptualize and build Turbo Tint. This partnership ensured that the new business model would be grounded in real-world experience, fully aligned with the needs of both the market and franchise operators. The success of Turbo Tint speaks to the effectiveness of this franchisee-focused approach, showcasing how collaboration can lead to innovative growth and expansion.
Moran’s dedication to the franchise model goes beyond theoretical understanding; she has become a franchisee herself. By personally owning franchises on both the repair side and with Turbo Tint, she has gained a firsthand perspective of the day-to-day challenges and opportunities that franchisees face. This decision underscores her belief in the business concepts she champions, as she goes through the same processes, training and operations as any other franchisee.
By stepping into the shoes of her franchisees, Moran is not only demonstrating her confidence in the Moran Family of Brands model, but she is also continually analyzing and improving the systems in place. Her dual role as CEO and franchisee allows her to identify areas for improvement within the support structure, ensuring that the franchisees are better equipped to succeed. This hands-on approach is a rarity in the franchise world, and it further distinguishes Moran’s leadership style from many of her counterparts.
Moran’s leadership of Moran Family of Brands is a testament to the power of putting people first. In a competitive industry, where many leaders focus solely on profits and expansion, Moran’s approach is refreshingly human-centered. As she continues to lead the charge, Moran’s legacy will undoubtedly be one of innovation, collaboration and a deep commitment to the people who help their franchisees’ businesses thrive.
Amanda Maquet, CFE, Chief Marketing Officer, Moran Family of Brands