Why Couples Should Invest Together in an AAMCO Franchise

Iconic auto repair franchise is an opportunity for married couples to realize their dreams as entrepreneurs

Traditionally, auto repair businesses have been run by entrepreneurs with prior and extensive experience in the auto repair industry. Today, AAMCO is seeking to shift this paradigm by making our repair franchise easier to own and scale than ever before, thereby opening our doors to entrepreneurs without experience in the auto industry.

This focus on making the AAMCO franchise opportunity more inclusive has been overwhelmingly positive, especially for passionate first-time entrepreneurs, for corporate executives who want to apply their skill set to running their own business and for married couples who want the opportunity to make a brighter future together. Married couples are especially successful as AAMCO franchisees, some of whom are now among our top-performing franchisees in the AAMCO franchise network.

“We are proud to report that AAMCO has a growing number of wonderful, smart and savvy married couples as franchisees,” says Brian O’Donnell, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development with AAMCO. “AAMCO has a long history of providing opportunities to entrepreneurs who are driven to succeed, and we’ve made significant investments to make our opportunity accessible to any entrepreneur who is interested in owning a proven business. We’ve watched with great pride as our husband-and-wife teams take their love for each other and their individual skill sets, and then put them to work as co-owners of a business. Some of the married couples have reinvested in the brand and become multi-unit owners, proving that they’ve mastered our business model.”

One the many couples to have mastered the AAMCO business model are Thomas and Rhonda Scott, owners of nine AAMCO franchise locations, seven of which are in Oklahoma City and two are in Tulsa, Oklahoma. While the Scotts are the largest AAMCO franchise owners in the entire system, neither Thomas or Rhonda had prior experience in the auto repair industry before deciding to invest in an AAMCO franchise.

“I worked in the dental industry, and my husband worked as injection molding professional before we decided to invest in AAMCO,” Rhonda says. “AAMCO has an excellent history, a great brand name and a longstanding reputation for being trustworthy and honest. We looked at AAMCO as an opportunity to be of service to our local community and to provide a service that is built on honesty and integrity. It’s been a great opportunity for us.”

How did Thomas and Rhonda go from not having any experience in the auto repair industry to being our largest franchisees? In recent years, AAMCO has blossomed as a forward-thinking, 21st-century auto repair franchise, making significant investments in training and education to ensure that new entrepreneurs like Thomas and Rhonda have the resources they need to be successful.

In 2014, AAMCO launched our state-of-the-art training platform, AAMCO University, which offers 300 courses with expert instructors. Courses range from basic shop safety to master-level diagnostics and transmission rebuilding. These modules are offered in the classroom, online and in interactive settings. The training extends to employees, as well, helping with recruitment of the most talented technicians. They also have access to courses that will help advance their skill sets and careers.

Beyond training, AAMCO ensures that our franchisees have the tools they need in their businesses to track their growth. AAMCO is rolling out a new comprehensive Point of Sale (POS) system, which will improve AAMCO’s business model by providing the ability to create estimates and invoices for customers much more quickly and easily, driving revenue for franchisees in their centers. The cloud-based system is accessible from anywhere in the world, and it provides a suite of tools designed to provide executive-class analytics on business performance, making it easier for franchisees to truly know their businesses and to take the steps they need to make their businesses grow.

Kim and Greg Johnson are a married couple who have owned their AAMCO franchise in Santa Cruz, California, since 2005. The multiple revenue streams they are raking in because of their ability to offer a world-class transmission service have proven to be both recession-proof and lucrative.

“As the world’s largest chain of transmission specialists, AAMCO meets a need in the community to provide customers with an honest assessment of their repair needs and exceptional customer service beyond their expectations, “ Kim says. “There will always be a need for automotive repair services, even in tough economic times. The economic recession came a few years after we opened our doors, but we always remained confident in our decision, and our business remained open while other local independent shops were forced to shut down. The funny thing is that neither of us had any experience in the automotive industry. That speaks volumes about the brand and our determination.”

AAMCO Franchise System is a Tight-Knit Family

Ultimately, the AAMCO franchise is a tight-knit family. The franchisees and executive team work together to help each other grow and prosper. For Sherri and Sam Underland, owners of an AAMCO franchise in Levittown, Pennsylvania, this family culture has fostered friendships with fellow franchisees that will last a lifetime.

“The thing that I love about the AAMCO transmission franchise network is that I have friends across the country who are doing the same thing,” Sherri says. “At every AAMCO franchisee convention, I leave with at least one trip planned to visit a franchisee colleague. We have fun. We go on motorcycle rides. We travel together.

“On a more serious level, you have the support of other owners in your business,” Sherri says. “Some of these folks have been in this business for 30 or more years, and their experience is invaluable. There also is a franchisee association behind us, so every franchisee has a voice. If you have an issue, they are there to help you. We partner with corporate for initiatives. We have a national creative committee for television commercials, branding and how our internet systems are going to work. Franchisees in nearby regions create pools that advertise on the internet and on television. In short, with AAMCO, you’re never alone.”

Bring the iconic auto repair franchise to your community

With nearly 650 centers across North America, AAMCO is actively seeking single- and multi-unit operators who are passionate about the brand and committed to providing the highest-quality service. Interested candidates should have a minimum net worth of $250,000 and liquid assets of at least $65,000 per unit. Depending on the real estate site selected, franchisees can expect the total investment to be approximately $226,300 – $333,500, with a $39,500 initial franchise fee. Reduced franchise fees are available for honorably discharged veterans.

For in-depth details about the AAMCO franchise opportunity, request a copy of our free franchise report

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