Oil change companies making headlines this week:
• Missouri lube operator murdered outside his store. (Our sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Norris
• San Antonio company adds nitrogen tire inflation to its lineup. (See previous post for our take on the subject.)
• San Diego Midas stores adopt SpeeDee Oil Change co-branding. More here.
• Lube tech earns inspection license.
• New generation of (young) franchisees take reins of businesses including fast lubes.
• According to the Orange County Business Register, EZ Lube has rented nearly 13,000 square feet of space in Costa Mesa, CA. The five-year lease is valued at $1.2 million.
• Interesting technical article about re-refined motor oil.
Express Oil Change & Service Centers – Bham, AL The franchisor claims "99% survival rate form ground up locations since 1996." Other Information Shows: EOC&SC Corp. stores v. Franchise Stores over the past three years:2007: 51 Corp stores v. 106 franchisee stores2009: 70 Corp stores v. 99 franchisee storeThat's a 37% increase in Corp stores, while a 9% decrease in franchisee stores – during a time when they claim they do not want to open any additional Corp stores. Where are they getting these stores from? Failing franchisees? If yes, then how or why do you continue with the same business model and claim 99% survival rate? Birmingham Business Journal Article of April 4, 2008 article on Express Oil Change & Service Center: At that time, "24 new franchisee owned centers was the goal with no new corporate centers" was the plan.Of the nine new "ground up" stores opened in 2008 and all tracking under well projected sales – with 7 of the 9 tracking at about 50% of projected revenues (or 320k annual). Debt Service is around 1.3 million for each franchisee – can it be sustained?Is this information being properly disclosed by the franchisor as required by FTC regulation?