Honest-1 Auto Care Featured in INBusiness Magazine

Honest-1 was recently featured in INBusiness Magazine of Phoenix in an article titled, "Slowing Down Pays Off in Franchise Expanshion". The article discusses the growth that Honest-1 Auto Care has experienced in the last year, increasing system-wide sales by 36% from 2011 to 2012. Owner Rissy Sutherland talked about what sets Honest-1 apart from industry competitors with its Eco-Friendly approach and customer-centric view, after conducting extensive research to find what was missing for consumers in their automotive experience. The article also includes talk of expansion plans for the Phoenix-area as well as growth plans for the entire company in 2013. Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below: Slowing Down Pays Off in Franchise Expansion by RaeAnne Marsh The first thing Rissy Sutherland and Jack Keilt did when they bought into the Honest-1 Auto Care franchise in 2008 was have the company take a year-and-a-half hiatus from expanding its franchise network. Drawing on their experience as owners of individual franchises, Sutherland says, “We looked at what was important to us as franchisees, from our franchisors … and chose to take everything from the ground up: logos, concept, training, sales processes and the franchising program.” Since implementing the changes, the Scottsdale-based franchise has come back strong. Same-store sales growth from 2011 to 2012 averaged 36 percent, and it has 15 stores in the queue to add to its nationwide network that ended 2012 at 28 stores.

Honest-1 Featured in The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Honest-1 Auto Care was recently featured in The Daytona Beach News-Journal in an article titled, "Car care franchisee looking to expand Honest-1 brand".

The article discusses the growth of Honest-1 Auto Care in the South Daytona area. It discusses local owner Dan Morris’s career path and his goals to expand the brand in the area. Chip Baranowski, VP of Franchise Development, discusses what Honest-1 Auto Care offers and how they are environmentally friendly.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Car care franchisee looking to expand Honest-1 brand

By: Jeffrey Cassady

He started out as a Pizza Hut dishwasher in 1984 and moved up the management ladder, eventually finding himself in charge of 18 stores in the Kansas City, Mo., area and at one point being in charge of brand development for the restaurant chain.

"I knew I could make it in any part of the country if I could just make it to management," Morris said.

In 1997, Morris joined Emerald City Pizza, the group that operated Pizza Huts in the Seattle market. He left the pizza industry in 2004.

Eco-Friendly Auto Care

Honest-1 Auto Care proactively takes extraordinary steps to protect our environment by helping our customers maintain the most efficient and safe vehicles possible. By maintaining a vehicle in good working condition they will experience increases in fuel economy as well as reduced emissions. This can have a positive impact on our environment.

More importantly we go beyond basic standards and expectations of auto care facilities and take additional measures to protect our environment now and into the future. While offering exceptional service programs for our customers to choose from, we also offer specialized, ECO-Friendly Auto Care services for those that want to play a greater part in helping the environment. An example of one of these programs is the ECO-TuneUp that includes a 21 point inspection, the use of synthetic oil, lifetime oil and air filters, platinum spark plugs, replacing spark plug wires, ECO 360 fuel treatment, and tire pressure evaluation.

Additionally, through the Honest-1 Auto Care ESA (Environmentally Sustainable Actions) Program we employ responsible ECO-Friendly Auto Care standards and practices in four primary categories:

• Pollution Prevention
• Recycling
• Resource Conservation
• Offering and Promoting Eco-Friendly Auto Care^® services

That is why Honest-1 Auto Care^® is the responsible choice of consumers.

Honest-1 Auto Care Becomes Only Auto Care Concept Ranked On Franchise Business Review’s Annual Satisfaction List

Success Fuels Auto Care Company to Open 15 New Units In 2013 As Part Of Expansion Plans

Honest-1 Auto Care (Honest-1), the only national full-service auto care company that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, today announced its inclusion in the eighth annual Franchise Business Review's 2013 Franchise Satisfaction Awards (FBR50). The FBR50 is the only awards program to rank companies based solely on actual franchise satisfaction.

The list, which was based on a survey of more than 26,000 franchisees representing over 350 franchise brands, put Honest-1 at number 25 for brands with less than 50 units, making it the only auto care company on that list. The auto care company, backed by system-wide sales growth in 2012 up 35 percent, an unheard of growth rate for the auto care industry, retains a 76.2 percent satisfaction rating amongst its network of franchisees, well above the 2012 industry average of 67.4 percent.

“We are thrilled to be chosen as one of Franchise Business Review’s FBR50 this year as it helps validate the principles that make Honest-1 tick,” said Rissy Sutherland, COO of Honest-1 Auto Care. “The only way to grow as an organization is to provide your staff with the resources and leadership necessary to excel. In 2013, the scope of our growth positions us to take our company to the next level.”

Franchise Business Review’s survey includes 33 benchmark questions relating to the franchisee’s experience and satisfaction as well as market area, business lifestyle and other demographic characteristics. Collectively, these findings put Honest-1 on the list.

Aiming to fix the auto care customer experience, Honest-1 took the time to re-define how the entire experience should look and feel, from the customer service members at the front desk to the waiting areas and top-quality amenities available while customers wait. Honest-1 is not only the best option for all consumer bases who need all scopes of service work, from basic oil changes to full transmission diagnostics and complete auto repair services, but one that any car owner would feel comfortable spending time in. Plus, Honest-1 utilizes technology to review repairs with their customers by showing the customer their vehicle and service issue in 3D interface so that they can visually see their vehicle needs, and not just hear it from their customer service manager.

Over the past year, Honest-1 has signed development deals for 90 units through an aggressive Region Developer (RD) concept. In 2013, the RD’s signed into the system are working to develop a minimum of 15 units in five major markets.

“For us, we see a synergy between franchisee satisfaction and location growth,” said Chip Baranowski, Vice President of Franchise Development for Honest-1 Auto Care.  “Our nationwide footprint is pretty diversified, but we know now is the time to strategize our next growth objective. With locations in the Southwest, Northwest, the Rockies, Midwest and East Coast, we are primed to develop additional locations throughout the country.”

Honest-1 Auto Care plans to expand into markets around the country including, Phoenix, Atlanta, Nashville, Indianapolis, Miami, Orlando, Raleigh, Charlotte, Michigan, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Denver, and many others. For more information about Honest-1 franchising, visit www.h1franchise.com.  

Honest-1 Auto Care Featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal

Honest-1 Auto care was recently featured in the Las Vegas Review-Journal in an article titled, "Franchisors look for opportunities to expand in LasVegas".

To cover the IFA Convention, this article talked about franchise growth in Las Vegas, and included growth information about Honest-1 in the market. Overall, inclusion in the article shows brand growth for Honest-1, which is exciting for franchisees, consumers and prospects alike.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Franchisors look for opportunities to expand in Las Vegas

By: Laura Carroll

The next time you drive by a McDonald's, Sport Clips Haircuts or Dunkin Donuts and think something along the lines of "Oh there's Corporate America again," think again.

Yes, these establishments report back to the mother ship and are guided by a larger entity. But the actual owners of most of them live in your community. They may even be your neighbor.

"When people patronize franchised establishments, it's a locally owned small business," said Matthew Haller, spokesman for the International Franchise Association. "It's just operating under a well-respected, national brand that has structure and support."

Honest-1 Auto Care Ranks in RedHotFranchises.com’s 2013 “HOT 100 FRANCHISE LIST”

Honest-1 Auto Care (Honest-1), the nation’s only full-service auto repair and maintenance franchise that is 100 percent ESA Certified Eco-Friendly, has been ranked #29 in the 2013 “HOT 100 FRANCHISE LIST” by RedHotFranchises.com. The rankings were determined by the board members of RedHotFranchises.com, who have more than 50 years of combined experience with franchisors, franchisees, franchise suppliers and other leading franchise experts.

“Our experienced leadership team, whose members have all owned and operated their own small businesses, has put tremendous emphasis in keeping Honest-1 profitable, even rolling profits back into the business to spur further growth of the brand,” said Chip Baranowski, Vice President of Franchise Development for Honest-1 Auto Care. “This ranking validates Honest-1 as not only the leader in the auto repair and maintenance segment, but also as an emerging player poised for long-term success throughout the franchise industry.”

Those considered for the “HOT 100 FRANCHISE LIST” are franchises and business opportunities that exhibit superlative performance. Franchises included in the list have been chosen from a crowd of over 3000 different companies, due to their outstanding business models.  Franchises and business opportunities are ranked based on a variety of factors including management, franchisee satisfaction, franchise support, growth rate, financial stability and profitability.

“Franchisee satisfaction and support is paramount to our brand’s longevity and attraction,” said Rick Sage, Director of Marketing of Honest-1 Auto Care. “Our franchisees validate the support we provide as a brand. If they need help directing their business, connecting with accounting firms, or setting up a profitability model, the Honest-1 executive team is always accessible throughout the franchisor and franchisee relationship.”

For more information on Honest-1’s ranking on the 2013 “HOT 100 FRANCHISE LIST” by RedHotFranchises.com, please click HERE.

Honest-1 continues to display outstanding growth, with system sales up over 35 percent in 2012. With plans for 15 new locations in 2013, the brand is well positioned for aggressive growth this year, as it continues to bring unique auto care solutions to additional markets across the country.

“We’re looking forward to a successful and profit driven year in 2013,” said Baranowski. “Our previous growth and achievements will help us push forward and drive Honest-1 toward even higher numbers.”

With territories available in all 50 states with the exception of North Dakota, South Dakota and Hawaii, people with a passion for business and individuals who possess a great entrepreneurial spirit are prime candidates for the Honest-1 franchise system.

Caring for Your Car

Let's be honest: cars are as much work as kids. The difference is, you can leave your car in the garage and forget about it.

We said your CAR.

We've all been there, driving around with the engine light on, assuring ourselves it's not serious. Then, the engine light goes off and we live in fear that maybe it was serious and the car is simply daring you to keep driving. But from check-ups to oil changes to rotations, the time and the money seem like too much to put in for something that seems to be doing its job just fine. Shut the garage door and forget about it.

WAIT!

The repercussions of ignoring your car could be creeping up on you faster than you think. In fact, you could even be voiding your cars warranty without knowing it. AOL Autos released this list of the top ten WORST things you can do to your car.

Click HERE for the full article, or begin reading below:

Top Ten Worst Things You Can Do To Your Car

Don't put off your car's routine maintenance

By: Michael Zak

Getting an oil change is a pain, whether you do it yourself or have it done professionally. You have to take time out of your day, pay for it and, if you're at a lube shop, often endure a stream of questions and accusations that make you feel like a worse car owner than Tommy Callahan.

But it's just this type of annoying, small maintenance procedure that can prevent some seriously pricey repairs in the future.

According to a recent study by CarMD.com, which polled professional mechanics, putting off oil changes is one of the top ten worst things that you can do to your car. Along with neglecting other small repairs, such as replacing the air filter, small issues can snowball into much bigger problems -- like engine failure -- and huge repair bills in the future.