For over two decades, Mr. Transmission/Milex has been a household name for car owners in need of reliable automotive repair and maintenance. By Brianna Bohn
For over two decades, Mr. Transmission/Milex has been a household name for car owners in need of reliable automotive repair and maintenance. A part of Moran Family of Brands, one of the largest automotive aftermarket franchisors in the nation, Mr. Transmission/Milex continues to provide stability and support in a time when car owners and franchisees need it.
According to a report by S&P Global Mobility, “With more than 284 million vehicles in operation (VIO) on U.S. roads, the average age of cars and light trucks in the U.S. has risen again this year to a new record of 12.5 years, up by more than three months over 2022.”
For car manufacturers, this is bad news. For Mr. Transmission/Milex, this reinforces everything the brand has been doing for years.
“We are a needs-based business in a market with favorable conditions for the service we provide,” said Peter Baldine, president of Moran Family of Brands. “Unlike other sectors in franchising that may be hot for three years, this has been proven to be a long-term, sustainable business that performs well over decades.”
The high-performing franchise, known for its attention to customer satisfaction, continually breaks sales and system records. While many companies were hit hard by the pandemic, in 2021, Mr. Transmission/Milex outperformed competitors, reaching record numbers, with a 24% system increase over 2020. Yet again, in 2022, the franchise beat its previous year’s performance, and as of June, it has beaten its 2022 performance.
While the automotive aftermarket industry is booming – according to the Auto Care Association, it is projected to grow from $427 billion to $514 billion by 2024 – Mr. Transmission/Milex’s long-standing success can be attributed to its commitment to building a family culture.
From the corporate team, led by CEO Barbara Moran-Goodrich, to the franchisees and technicians, Moran Family of Brands’ core values are present. All are encouraged to work with D.R.I.V.E: dedication, respect, integrity, vision and enthusiasm.
“This is a philosophy that Barb and Pete repeat quite often, and all employees try to emulate and believe in: We’re helping franchisees be in business for themselves but not by themselves,” explained Amanda Maquet, marketing director and project manager.
Baldline explained several systems that offer franchisees support in every aspect of their business. In addition to being mentored by an experienced franchise owner, franchisees are assigned to a dedicated franchise business coach. They also engage frequently with the marketing department regarding social media management, online reviews and vendor relationships.
Also, Moran University, the brand’s online training school, provides franchisees access to over 400 training videos that are accessible 24/7. There are two private Facebook groups for even further support: one solely for the franchise owners to engage, ask questions and share best practices with Moran employees, and another where franchisees and their technicians interact with the technical director to diagnose and repair vehicles.
Always looking to advance the company and franchisee growth, the brand also has a franchise advisory alliance board of franchisees that actively participates in quarterly meetings, resulting in constant feedback, communication and a unified company approach.
“One thing we hear over and over again from candidates is, ‘You guys really live by these core values and mission statements that you have made public.’ There’s nothing more important than that when you’re entering into a long-term relationship,” Baldine said.
Brianna Bohn