Oftentimes, the key to starting and staying the course—in business and in life—is finding something that inspires you and makes you look forward to the journey ahead. The same can be said for franchising. That’s why Christian Brothers Automotive believes that its people make the brand—and it’s why so many franchisees have a deep-seated passion that’s helping to fuel the brand’s expansion efforts.
That kind of franchisee satisfaction can go a long way for a brand—and for Christian Brothers Automotive, it’s not going unnoticed. Most recently, the brand landed a coveted spot in the Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchise Opportunities for 2017 list. These rankings, which exist to shed light on the industry’s top franchises in the U.S., are based on feedback from the people who know these businesses best—their franchisees. Designed to highlight a brand’s important strong suits and overall franchisee satisfaction, more than 26,000 franchise owners representing more than 350 leading brands are surveyed.
“Being listed by Franchise Business Review proves that we are on the right track and excelling in all the right areas,” said Josh Wall, the VP of Franchise and Strategic Development. “Often, the key to longevity and success as a franchisee is finding something that makes you proud every single day. Christian Brothers has always supported and valued the hard-working and dedicated people who have made our brand what it is today—it’s why so many franchisees find success with Christian Brothers and eagerly choose to grow with us.”
But Christian Brothers Automotive’s list of accolades doesn’t stop with Franchise Business Review—the brand was also selected as Franchise Gator’s Top 100 Franchises of 2017, being ranked in the No. 6 spot. The brand was also ranked in Franchise Gator’s Fastest Growing Franchises of 2017 list.
Franchise Gator, with the assistance of The Educated Franchisee, uses a variety of statistics to measure the quality of a franchise. The formula for rankings is derived from several aspects of a brand’s franchise disclosure document, including growth, engagement, transparency and sustainability. Franchise Gator also included each brand’s investment range and examined the current status of their industry as part of its ranking criteria.
“We continue to grow at a pace of 15 to 20 stores annually, and we’ve maintained a 100 percent success rate, with our brand having never closed a single location,” said Mark Carr, President and CEO of Christian Brothers. “Our company’s dedication to putting customer needs first and promoting ethical business practices continues to drive loyalty in our locations across the country, and our recognition from Franchise Gator is evidence of that.”
With most traditional franchises charging royalty fees from the top line, Christian Brothers has a built-in competitive advantage. By utilizing a bottom line approach, franchisees are able to pay themselves a salary, secure health insurance for their families and deal with any outstanding debt obligations before any royalty fees are deducted.
As Christian Brothers continues to expand across the country, the brand also continues to increase its charitable work in local communities. The company pledges 10 percent of its profits to charitable causes, from organizations focused on helping single moms and underprivileged children to those concentrating on assisting veterans. This commitment to helping others is something the company looks for in all its franchisees.
“Christian Brothers has succeeded because we’ve transformed how people view the auto repair experience,” Carr said. “We’re excited to keep spreading our message and creating a new generation of loyal guests and successful franchisees in the year ahead.”