25 Years Strong: California Couple Bryan and Donna Millsaps Continue to Find Success as Owners of Two SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service Shops

A multi-unit automotive service couple have maintained award-winning stores for over two decades.

Bryan and Donna Millsaps have been franchising for 25 years with SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service, bringing a robust background of automotive, technology and legal industry experience to their businesses. In 2018, Bryan and Donna received the International Franchisee of the Year Award from the International Franchise Association. 

Bryan credited the win to the hard work he and Donna have continued to put into their two central California SpeeDee stores, located in Modesto and Turlock.

“When we received the International Franchisee of the Year Award it was incredibly humbling,” said Bryan. “All the other franchisees who attended the event are incredible owners, too. Donna and I are quite honored to this day that we were selected.”

Prior to partnering with SpeeDee in 1994, neither Bryan nor Donna foresaw themselves franchising in California. Donna worked as a legal secretary for many years, while Bryan was involved in the automotive industry and later, information technology.

Bryan initially pursued the auto mechanic world, working for a taxi company and a mechanic shop in his early years. However, he found profound interest in electronics. He studied information technology and began working with Linear Technology in telecommunications, serving as an electronic district service manager. However, after 15 years with Linear Technology, Bryan had to adapt as the company began downsizing.

“I thought I would be a ‘lifer’ with Linear,” said Bryan. “But when the company was bought out toward the end of my time there, I second-guessed that assumption. I questioned it because I realized I had no control over whether or not I stayed.”

He looked at other companies but faced difficulties in the hiring process due to his age. Bryan soon began looking back at the automotive industry, a compelling alternative to the stayed office life he had experienced. He soon started researching different oil change and auto service franchises. While reading the San Francisco Chronicle, Bryan saw an ad for a SpeeDee in the East Bay. 

Bryan went to tour the SpeeDee location and learned the company was looking for franchisees.  He admired the oil change and auto service brand’s business model and the way it was divided evenly between a fluids-based service station and a mechanical repair garage.

“SpeeDee was a great option for Donna and me to invest in,” said Bryan. “Donna is the heart of business operations and manages the books. My automotive background means I know the mechanical side to the business and my experience with Linear taught me how to maintain, manage and motivate people. Together, we saw that we would be a great fit for the company.”

The couple soon retired from their jobs after signing with SpeeDee in 1994 and opening their Modesto location. Then, in 2007, Bryan and Donna invested in a second location in Turlock, which they built from the ground up. 

“With the amount we’ve invested into both stores, we are right where we expected,” Bryan said. “We thought about having multiple stores after first signing up. When we opened our second location and that matched our expectations, Donna and I saw how ours and our teams’ hard work paid off.”

Donna and Bryan also cited SpeeDee as an instrumental component to their initial success. 

The couple said, “SpeeDee is an ideal franchise for anyone looking for a supportive brand to help with training and operations. The company support has been phenomenal and is available to franchisees at all stages of development and beyond.”

Indeed, Bryan’s and Donna’s dual SpeeDee locations have been very profitable. Both the Modesto and Turlock stores have been successful and almost identical in productivity, according to Bryan. He said that the stores, while they service two distinct, smaller cities, each close within a $300 sales difference of each other on average.

Bryan also said that there has been tremendous success in training, as he and Donna have watched staff members grow with the stores. He identified employees who started on the fluids station side and worked their way up to mechanics. The couple stays in touch with those individuals who grew with the company and continue to stay connected to the local community as well. 

The Millsaps duo is actively involved with organizations such as schools, sports teams and marching bands. Both of their SpeeDee locations participate in silent auctions and charitable events on a regular basis. They also work with nearby churches, providing repairs and services to members of the community who cannot afford it.

When asked what’s next for such a successful and award-winning franchise, Bryan said, “I’m just enjoying the businesses and my life. We don’t plan to open any other locations because we’re dedicated to our two SpeeDee locations. With this company, an absentee owner doesn’t work well. Besides, I’m 67 years old so I’d rather appreciate the hard work we’ve put into our stores at this point. I loved becoming a franchisee 25 years ago and I love it still.”