Automotive Franchise Industry News & Announcements

Pop-A-Lock announces it was ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
Lafayette, LA (PRWEB) May 21, 2012 - Pop-A-Lock honors military veterans all year round by offering service members a 10% discount off the franchise fee, allowing veterans to use their training and operational skills in a new civilian career.
“The Military Friendly Franchises® list was created three years ago out of demand from military veterans, many of whom want to start or own their own business but are unclear where to begin,” said Sean Collins, director for G.I. Jobs. “Being selected as a Military Friendly Franchise places Pop-A-Lock in this elite group, and is testimony to Pop-A-Lock’s world class programs and policies that support military veterans interested franchise opportunities”...

Tint World’s new store in Greensboro, NC will kick off with a weekend-long grand opening event featuring food and fun for all ages and exclusive discounts on Tint World auto styling services.
Greensboro, North Carolina (PRWEB) May 21, 2012 - Tint World, the nation’s leading auto styling franchise, is gearing up for its new store grand opening celebration in Greensboro, North Carolina with a three-day grand opening event. Sponsored by Tint World’s franchise marketing support, the grand opening event will be held Friday June 1st – Sunday June 3rd and will feature food, fun, and plenty of free promotional items and discounts on Tint World auto styling services and products.
Local residents of all ages are encouraged to stop by and enjoy the entertainment and to see Tint World’s state-of-the-art showroom to learn more about all the ways Tint World can style and enhance their vehicles...

May 21, 2012 // Franchising.com // Highland, Ind. - Highland-area residents have another option for purchasing used cars now that J.D. Byrider has opened a store at 9301 Indianapolis Blvd. The location is the 13th J.D. Byrider dealership in Indiana.
In his new location, franchisee Roger Swierbut and his team will provide dependable automobiles to customers who may not have optimal credit histories. “We look forward to serving Highland-area residents who are in need of quality cars with affordable financing,” said Swierbut. “With our 24-month/24,000-mile warranty and exceptional customer service center, we will strive to meet the needs of this great market."
In addition to the new Highland location, J.D. Byrider opened new stores in Richmond, Va...

Husband and wife entrepreneurial team offers comfort, convenience and friendly customer service at new automotive shop.
May 18, 2012 // Franchising.com // WACO, Texas) – Christian Brothers Automotive, the automotive repair shop creating a positive “culture shock” in town with its commitment to honesty and integrity, today announced the opening of its newest location at 101 Archway Drive in Woodway, Texas.
Situated on Highway 84, in front of Hollywood Theaters, the nearly 5,000 square-foot location will include nine service bays, as well as an upscale lobby with a home-charm décor that features leather couches, decorative lighting, artwork and hardwood floors. Customers can also enjoy free Wi-Fi service as their vehicle is serviced...

Snap-on Father's Day Gift Guide Offers Popular Tools at Special Prices
KENOSHA, Wis., May 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- If you want to give Dad a Father's Day gift that he wants, really needs and you know will last, give him the gift of Snap-on. From hand tools and power tools to an assortment of specialty tools and tool storage units, the Snap-on Father's Day Gift Guide has an array of gift ideas for Dad.
"Our Snap-on Father's Day Gift Guide has a wide selection of tools available at special prices," said Gerry Beronja, director of customer marketing for Snap-on. "This is the perfect opportunity to get Dad that Snap-on tool he's been hoping for or treat yourself to the Snap-on item on your wish list. You'll need to act fast as our Father's Day pricing ends June 30...

Franchise Owners - Former Corporate Employees - Give Back To Community While Doubling Center Sales
King Of Prussia, PA (Grassroots Newswire) May 16, 2012 – Maaco in Aston, Pa., presented Chester County Historical Society President Dr. Robert Lukens with a refurbished van on May 15. Frank and Michelle Costello, owner-operators of the Maaco center, formerly worked as Vice President of Real Estate and Contracts Administrator at MAACO Franchising, Inc., in nearby King of Prussia. Since buying the franchise last year they have put the Maaco system into practice, doubling sales and giving back to the community. Previously, they had hosted a car wash fundraiser and provided other generous support to the Children's Miracle Network at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia...

TULSA, Okla., May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG) is pleased to announce three corporate location openings. The Company has opened two since January 1, 2012 and has plans for a third location in July.
The openings include a Thrifty Car Rental location at the John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York, NY which opened on March 1, 2012 and the re-establishment of a Dollar Rent A Car location at the Brownsville/South Padre Island International Airport (BRO) in Brownsville, Texas on May 1, 2012. Additionally, the Company will open a Dollar Rent A Car location at the Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Burlington, VT on July 1, 2012.
"One of our stated goals as we began the year was to identify opportunities to grow profitable revenue through new store openings," said Scott Thompson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer...

Jeannine Beasley, Glass Doctor of Central Carolina Outside Sales Representative, started Operation Pillow Talk, a community effort to collect pillow cases with inspirational bible verses and quotes for wounded U.S. soldiers in Kuwait.
Waco, TX (PRWEB) May 16, 2012 - Jeannine Beasley collects pillow cases. At first, collecting pillow cases seems like an odd hobby, but for Jeannine, it’s a calling to help others.
Last Christmas, Jeannine, who is an employee at Glass Doctor of Central Carolina located in Dunn, N.C., asked fellow church member and U.S. service member Rhonda Henderson, who was serving in Kuwait, what she could send to help troops.
Henderson told her pillow cases. The hospitals in Kuwait are stocked with sheets and blankets, but no pillow cases for wounded soldiers...

TULSA, Okla., May 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE: DTG) today reported that on May 11, 2012 Moody's Investor Services raised the Company's corporate family rating to B1. The Company noted that the Company's corporate family rating is factored into the collateral enhancement requirements under its securitized fleet financing facilities, and this upgrade will allow the Company to reduce its collateral enhancement requirements by up to $75 million over time as existing facilities are refinanced.
"We are pleased that our strong operating results, well-established position in the value segment of the rental car market and the strength of our balance sheet resulted in this upgrade," said Scott L. Thompson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer...

May 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // Glass Doctor has been named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs Magazine. The company is ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide for benefits to veterans.
“It is an honor to be recognized as a Military Friendly Franchise again,” Glass Doctor President Mark Liston said.
The glass services company honors military veterans all year round by offering service members a discount of 25 percent off the franchise fee, allowing veterans to use their training and operational skills in a new civilian career.
“The Military Friendly Franchises® list was created three years ago out of demand from military veterans, many of whom want to start or own their own business but are unclear where to begin,” said Sean Collins, director for G...

Rapidly Growing Auto Repair and Maintenance Franchise Signs Co-Region Developer Agreement to Open New Locations throughout Indianapolis, Ind., Louisville, Ky. and Cincinnati, Ohio
May 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // INDIANAPOLIS – Honest-1 Auto Care, the only national full-service auto repair and maintenance franchise that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, has announced plans to open more than 20 new locations throughout Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio during the next 5 to 7 years. Mark Carney and John Bontreger, new Co-Region Developers of Honest-1 Auto Care, are responsible for growing the brand throughout these key markets.
Currently, both Carney and Bontreger are co-owners of Riverstone Partners, a boutique real estate development company that specializes in multi-family projects, condos and townhomes...

May 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Honest-1 Auto Care, the only national full-service auto repair and maintenance franchise that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, announces it was ranked in the top 10 percent of all franchises nationwide and named a 2012 Military Friendly Franchise® by G.I. Jobs Magazine.
The auto-care company honors military veterans all year round by offering service members a discount of 15 percent off the franchise fee, allowing veterans to use their training and operational skills in a new civilian career.
“The Military Friendly Franchises® list was created three years ago out of demand from military veterans, many of whom want to start or own their own business but are unclear where to begin,” said Sean Collins, director for G...

Large scale road-to-rail conversion helps drive another record setting quarter
Program with utility providers helps customers save $500,000 on annual utility bills

TORONTO, May 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (CTC, CTC.a) today released the results of its business sustainability strategy for the first quarter of 2012. Most notable in Q1 is that forecasted greenhouse gas (GHG) emission avoidance is up ten-fold primarily due to the large-scale road-to-rail conversion that the Company undertook in connection with transportation.  Additionally, Canadian Tire's business sustainability strategy began reporting incremental new business, as in-store events designed with utility groups across the country drove $2 million in retail sales of energy-saving products...

Strong sales and revenue growth
Consolidated revenue up 23.4%
Diluted earnings per share up 21.6%

TORONTO, May 10, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX:CTC) (TSX:CTC.a) today released first quarter results for the period ended March 31, 2012, which reflected strong revenue and earnings growth compared to the first quarter of 2011.
Consolidated revenue increased 23.4% to $2.4 billion in the quarter, reflecting the inclusion of FGL Sports acquired in August 2011, and solid growth across the retail businesses including all major categories within Canadian Tire Retail. Consolidated net income increased 21.5% to $71.0 million compared to the same period in 2011 and diluted earnings per share increased 21...

Leading Motorcycle Rental Company Holds Three Contests for Prizes, Summer Party & Tour
LOS ANGELES, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- EagleRider, the world's largest motorcycle rental and tour company, is celebrating "twenty years of living the American Dream on the prestigious Harley-Davidson motorcycle" with three social media contests. Contest participants have the opportunity to win an invitation to EagleRider's 20th Anniversary private celebrity Los Angeles party Saturday, July 21 as well as a one week self-guided California Coast motorcycle tour. All contests began March 20, 2012 and winners will be announced at the beginning of July.
"We pioneered global motorcycle tourism in 1992 with a dream, all the money in our pockets and four Harley-Davidson motorcycles in a Los Angeles garage," said Chris McIntyre, EagleRider co-founder and president...

Leading automotive services franchisor cites substantial increase in leads for franchisees due to Yodle platform.
May 10, 2012 // Franchising.com // New York, NY – Yodle, a leader in local online marketing, today announced that Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care, one of the largest chains of transmission repair centers in North America, has extended its agreement between the two companies. During the first nine months of Cottman’s partnership with Yodle, the automotive services company’s 70+ franchisees tripled the volume of their inbound calls and emails. Cottman achieved these results due to Yodle’s integrated web presence, data-driven SEO approach, and proprietary paid search technology that optimizes desktop and mobile channels dynamically based on the performance data of 30,000 local customers...

DOVER, N.H., May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Racing Limos America, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Technology Group (OTC:ATYG), is estimating revenue gains for its franchisees for an 8th consecutive quarter.
Although firm numbers are not yet complete, Racing Limos America is reporting Q1 2012 gains for its franchisees. The estimates show increases from the previous quarter as well as from the same quarter last year.
"Almost all franchisees have reported their numbers," says Racing Limos America President and Atlas CEO James Albion. "We are confident that when all franchisee numbers are confirmed, we'll be able to report yet another quarter of growth. This further illustrates that our new business model is in full throttle forward, and is a testament to the diligence and commitment of our franchisees to the business...

National Automotive Repair Franchise Will Give Away 100 Oil Changes Coinciding with 100th Location Opening
May 09, 2012 // Franchising.com // HOUSTON – In celebration of its 100th opening, Christian Brothers Automotive a national faith-based automotive repair franchise, will give away 100 oil changes nationwide over 100 days. From now until July 31, patrons can enter each day to win a free oil change on the Christian Brothers Automotive Facebook page.
“We could not think of a better opportunity to launch our first national social media promotion than in commemoration of our 100th location opening,” said Mark Carr, founder and CEO of Christian Brothers Automotive. “The fact that we have never closed a location throughout the past 30 years is a testament to our loyal and trusting customers...

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 8, 2012) - Helping to end MS can be as simple as getting an oil change. Mr. Lube Canada will donate $5 from every Mr. Lube oil change performed across the country on Saturday, May 12 to help the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada in its mission to find a cure for MS and enable people affected by the disease to enhance their quality of life.
Since 2007, Mr. Lube has hosted the Founder's Day campaign and has raised more than $188,000, through over 25,000 oil changes done to help people living with MS. The campaign is in honour of Mr. Lube pioneer Cliff Giese, whose wife was diagnosed with MS in 1977.
"May is MS Awareness Month, and with Canada having one of the highest rates of MS in the world, it's important to raise awareness in our communities," says Yves Savoie, president and CEO of the MS Society of Canada...

DOVER, N.H., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Although its financials will not be posted until May 15, Racing Limos America, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Technology Group (OTC: ATYG), is expected to report a 50% increase in its Q1 2012 revenues over its previous quarter.
"We will be able to confirm these numbers in a few days," says Atlas CEO James Albion. "I am confident the estimates will prove we have yet again shown a revenues increase."
Albion is confident this is the start of a break out year for Atlas and Racing Limos America. "We are getting a fairly steady stream of emails for franchise inquiries," says Albion. "Both from the U.S. and from Canada. Our most popular inquiries in the past 30 days have been for information on Los Angeles CA, Dallas TX, and Birmingham AL...