1851

When <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-beckham-219430218?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=for-this-former-fullspeed-automotive-corporate-director-changing-lanes-to-the-franchisee-side-has-put-him-on-the-winning-track-2717260" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Beckham</a> was a Franchise Support Director for multi-brand automotive franchisor&nbsp;<a href="https://fullspeedautomotive.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=for-this-former-fullspeed-automotive-corporate-director-changing-lanes-to-the-franchisee-side-has-put-him-on-the-winning-track-2717260" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">FullSpeed Automotive</a>®, he worked to ensure the success of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.speedeeoil.com/franchise-information/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=for-this-former-fullspeed-automotive-corporate-director-changing-lanes-to-the-franchisee-side-has-put-him-on-the-winning-track-2717260" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">SpeeDee Oil Change &amp; Auto Service</a>® franchisees across six states. “I performed everything from technical training to marketing efforts, customer service interfacing to sales strategies,” he said. “Basically, I helped everyone make more money.Now, Beckham has changed lanes to become a <a href="https://1851franchise.com/speedee">SpeeDee</a> owner himself. “I have about 10 years until retirement,” Beckham said. “My fiancé said, ‘You’re making all this money for franchisees, why don’t we make it for ourselves?’ So that’s what got the ball rolling."After relocating to New Orleans, where he purchased an existing SpeeDee franchise from an owner who was retiring, Beckham spent some time upgrading the store and officially took over the store on June 1.&nbsp;“We set a sales record the first month,” Beckham said. “That’s the exciting part that gets me up every day. If I don’t know how to run this franchise, nobody does.”<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-stephenson-63429320?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=for-this-former-fullspeed-automotive-corporate-director-changing-lanes-to-the-franchisee-side-has-put-him-on-the-winning-track-2717260" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Wes Stephenson</a>, President and COO of SpeeDee Oil Change &amp; Auto Service’s parent company, FullSpeed Automotive, couldn’t agree more. “I can’t think of a more qualified or knowledgeable franchisee than Chris,” he said. “While we miss having him on our corporate team, he’s a huge asset to us as a franchise partner.”Growing up with a father who had his own tire and auto parts business for 45 years, Beckham has both industry and brand expertise. With a strategy to grow more SpeeDee locations in the Gulf Coast later this fall, he’s confident the knowledge he used to share with franchisees will serve him well. “It’s people and processes — it’s really that simple. It comes down to following the tried-and-true SpeeDee process,” stated Beckham.Currently focused on increasing the number of employees to deliver faster, better service, Beckham is offering up to $1,000 signing bonuses to experienced technicians as well as a generous bonus program that rewards team members when sales goals are reached. He’s also offering his workers medical, dental, life insurance and a 401K program.&nbsp;“Your people are your business, so you have to take care of them,” Beckham said. “Even little things like stocking the refrigerator with Gatorade makes a difference. It’s so hot here — you must keep people happy. If they’re happy, they’re going to transfer that to the customers.”Beckham also plans to sell tires, a strategy that represents a huge opportunity for SpeeDee owners, giving them an additional income stream. “I’ve ordered $10,000 worth of tires, and I have a storage facility so I can keep them in stock because people don’t want to wait,” he said. “We’re going to offer the Holy Trinity of services for car owners: oil changes, brakes and tires.”“When I worked in corporate, I was lucky to work with some of the top franchisees in&nbsp;FullSpeed Automotive,” he added. “These guys and gals were top level, and we were able to share ideas. Now I’m implementing all of their fantastic ideas, so things have come full circle for me.”

For This Former FullSpeed Automotive® Corporate Director, Changing Lanes to the Franchisee Side Has Put Him on the Winning Track

1851 Franchise

With plans to expand to additional locations in the Gulf Coast market, Chris Beckham has started off strong at his first location, already setting new sales records.

for-this-former-fullspeed-automotive-corporate-director-changing-lanes-to-the-franchisee-side-has-put-him-on-the-winning-track

CapitalSpring

Graphic with orange chart and hand pointing at graph

CapitalSpring Closes on Initial $505 Million of $1 Billion Target just Two Months After the Launch of its Seventh Flagship Investment Fund 

capitalspring-closes-505m-fund-vii

Children's Lighthouse

How Families Are Building Brighter Futures Together With Children’s Lighthouse

how-families-are-building-brighter-futures-together-with-childrens-lighthouse

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Franchise - Paul and Will Harris - 1851 Franchise

Keeping the Crystal Coast Comfortable: How a Father-Son Duo Brought One Hour HVAC to Their Community

one-hour-heating-ac-franchise-paul-will-harris-crystal-coast

Caring Transitions

Caring Transitions: A Recession-Resistant Franchise Opportunity for Entrepreneurs

caring-transitions-a-recession-resistant-franchise-opportunity-for-entrepreneurs

Minuteman Press International

L-R: Bob Titus (CEO), Eric Shank (Catonsville, MD), Bob Heimbuch (RVP), and Nick Titus (President).

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Eric Shank Recognized at World Expo

minuteman-press-franchise-owner-eric-shank-earns-standing-ovation-at-world-expo-for-growth-in-catonsville-md

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

houses, Why Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

Why the Top Franchises of 2025 Outperform Independent Businesses

how-franchises-outperform-independent-business-2025-tech-data

Photo of Happinest Brands teams standing together in front of branded vehicles

Happinest Brands Continues Strong 2025 Trajectory With Major Q3 Growth and Strategic Wins

happinest-brands-q3-franchise-growth

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown - 1851 Franchise

Franchise Owners Step Up To Support Communities During Government Shutdown

franchise-community-support-shutdown

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

1851 Franchisee Spotlight graphic with photo of Barb Volk and KidStrong logo

Why This Orangetheory Fitness Franchise Owner Is Developing KidStrong Franchises

kidstrong-franchise-owner-barb-volk-2025

1851 Franchisee Spotlight with photo of April De Jesus and Paris Baguette logo

Real Estate Entrepreneur and Mom of Two, April De Jesus Builds Her Family Legacy with Paris Baguette in Toronto

paris-baguette-april-dejesus-yorkdale

image of john oldham from pool scouts franchise in Greater South Fort Worth

New Franchisee Brings Hard Work and Heart to His New Pool Scouts Business in  Greater South Fort Worth

For This Former FullSpeed Automotive® Corporate Director, Changing Lanes to the Franchisee Side Has Put Him on the Winning Track

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS