Franchisee Profile: Troy Garris

Franchisee Profile: Troy Garris

Troy Garris, 43, will be returning to his home state of Iowa to open an Honest-1 in the metropolitan Des Moines area.  

Garris, a born and bred Iowan, joins Honest-1 with extensive management and business experience. He graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in management in 1992 and then a MBA and JD from the University of Iowa in 1996 and 1997 respectively.

After completing his studies, Garris relocated to the bustling city of Chicago to work in the finance department at CNA, an insurance company. He spent the past 15 years at the company, making his way up to a Director for Worldwide Operations. Garris determined it was a good time to become his own boss and open his own business.

Garris is currently looking at real estate in the Des Moines area, and is eager to return with his family to a community with a better quality of life.

How did you learn about Honest-1?

I connected with a franchise consultant while searching for business opportunities. I wasn’t initially looking at franchises in particular, but the concept appealed to me because of the proven business model and support.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Honest-1 Auto Care?

My family has a history in the automotive industry; they owned the first Ford dealership west of the Mississippi. I basically grew up there and loved hanging out in the shop. I also learned to work on my own cars. So when looking for franchises, Honest-1 came up and it was something I was interested in. Auto care is a strong market and it’s also a needed service.

The other reason is that Honest-1 is a pioneer in the industry at being extreme

ly customer-centric; teaching customers about what is being serviced and building trust. I also think it’s important that Honest-1 is focused on being as environmentally-friendly as possible. Customers are provided with options and ways to be “green”, which is something I’m an advocate for and firmly believe that most people are looking to reduce their impact on the environment.

Are you involved with any charities or community outreach programs?

I work with Annie’s Legacy, which is a women’s resource center in Chicago that supports victims of domestic violence. I provide operational support and help with technical issues such as their website and created an operational database to help them be able to focus on their mission.