Honest-1 Auto Care Celebrates National Car Care Month with Free Safety Inspection and Seasonal Tips

In honor of National Car Care Month, Honest-1, one of the only national full-service auto care companies that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, is offering expert tips for recommended maintenance every car owner can benefit from, based on the auto company’s strategic approach to car care.

Honest-1 suggests the following tips to help car owners see their vehicles spring back to life:

1. Have your car serviced on a routine basis and you will save a bundle of time and money. All car manufacturers have a schedule of recommended service for each vehicle they sell. Follow this schedule. Be sure to follow your schedule for fluid flushes.
2. Check the level and color of all fluids at every gas refill. If you don't know how to check your fluids or know what color your fluid should be, then ask your reputable technician to teach you. Your vehicle's oils and fluids do break down and require replacement in order to properly lubricate. This can save you thousands of dollars in repairs to your vehicle and keep it operating safely.
3. Change your oil and oil filter regularly to protect your engine and improve your gas mileage. Dirty oil or incorrect grades can increase engine friction, thereby reducing fuel efficiency. (Consider using synthetic oil which provide better protection and last longer than regular oil). Honest-1 Auto Care offers their Eco 360 oil and fuel treatments. Eco 360 protects your engines internal components from damage, which prevents costly repairs, and reduces friction, which computes to improved gas mileage and engine performance.
4. Change the air filter to protect the engine by keeping impurities from entering the engine and improve your gas mileage. When your engines air filter becomes clogged it starves the engine for air. The onboard computers adjust for this by increasing the amount of fuel to maintain consistent firing in the cylinders. This can cause up to 10 percent in decreased fuel efficiency.
5. Monitor your brake pad thickness and do not let them damage the metal parts such as brake rotors and calipers. This will not only result in more dollars spent on repairs, but could result in unsafe driving conditions for you and your family.
6. Wash your car regularly so that it will not damage the body or undercarriage of your car. Pollutants in the air, bugs, tar, salt in air/road, dirt, sludge, and more all damage your car.
7. Make sure to stay on top of alignments. This will increase the life of the tire and increase your safety due to improve handling and improve gas mileage.
8. Keep your tires properly inflated. Having low tire pressure causes more drag between your tires and the road, thereby making your engine work even harder. Improper tire pressure can reduce the lifespan of your tires and gas mileage by up to 30 percent or more. Another option is to have your tires filled with Nitrogen which is a more stable gas. Some of the benefits of Nitrogen in tires are less fluctuation in tire pressure, reduced tire pressure leak down under increased temperatures, and longer lasting tire life.
9. Rotate your tires at every other oil change (every 6,000 miles). Rotating your tires equalizes tread wear and maximizes the life of your tires.
10. Check your wipers and lighting. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

Honest-1 in The Leaf-Chronicle

According to a recent report from the Department of Labor, there is a shortage of auto technicians because most of the current crop of baby boomers are retiring. The challenge is getting the younger generation and Millennials interested because auto care has a “grease monkey” stigma.

In an article in The Leaf-Chronicle, Kristi and Tucker Seiber, as well as Rissy Sutherland, counteracted this claim, making sure viewers knew that the blue-collar image is gone and today being a mechanic is a "technical career path and applies engineering principles." Kristi and Tucker are actively recruiting mechanics, and are working with local vocational-technical education institutions to attract the best and the brightest. Tucker also talked more about the brand, what it will offer, and about the new Honest-1 opening in Clarkesville.

View the full story here. 

Honest-1 Auto Care on WBNS-10TV

Honest-1 Auto Care on WBNS-10TV

Danni Diol of Honest-1 Auto Care was recently featured on WBNS-10TV. For the 3 minute segment, Danni was interviewed giving great tips to viewers about fall car care and what they should do to make sure their car is running in top shape over the season. 

View the full segment here. 

Honest-1 Auto Care on Fox Business

Honest-1 Auto Care on Fox Business

Rissy Sutherland of Honest-1 Auto Care was recently featured on FOX Business’ Varney & Company.  In the segment, Rissy talked about why younger generations don’t know basic care, and provided some insight on how Honest-1 Auto Care has set out to change this lack of car care knowledge by educating families in all Honest-1 communities. Rissy did a great job with this segment, as she was very genuine and engaged well with the host, and this made the segment more entertaining and informative. During the segment, there were brand photos and video displayed. Overall, this was a great brand segment that positioned Honest-1 Auto Care as an expert in car care.

You can view the full segment here. 

Women in Business: Q&A with Rissy Sutherland, COO Honest-1 Auto Care

Women in Business: Q&A with Rissy Sutherland, COO Honest-1 Auto Care

Rissy Sutherland COO of Honest-1 Auto Care was recently featured in The Huffington Post. The article features Rissy’s experiences that have helped make her a leader, how her previous employment helped her succeed in her current role, her take on issues women face in the workplace, and mentors and female leaders that have helped shape her career.

You can view the full article here. 

Honest-1 in The Mecklenburg Times

Honest-1 Auto Care in The Mecklenburg Times

Honest-1 Auto Care was recently feature in The Mecklenburg Times on Friday, February 14^th, 2014. The article features Honest-1 Auto Care Southern North Carolina Region Developer Eric Renninger and his plans for the area. 

The title of the article is “Auto repair shop scouting Charlotte: Arizona-based company plans to add up to 15 area stores once it finds locations and franchisees” and begins with information about how Eric was training at corporate headquarters for his job of developing the Charlotte area for Honest-1 and the road ahead of him finding potential franchisees. The article then goes into what makes Charlotte good for expansion and talks about the various ways in which Honest-1 builds out new locations, then gives some information about the brand. The article closes with some great info about how quickly a new location could be turned around, and the search for the right franchisee.

Honest-1 Auto Care on CBS 5 Charleston

Honest-1 Auto Care on CBS 5 Charleston

The segment featured Sherry Rector, Honest-1 Auto Care Owner, talking about how viewers can drive safely on icy roads. CBS 5 Charleston on Wednesday, February 11^th, 2014. In the segment Sherry talks about how to handle black ice while you’re driving on the roads. Sherry talks about tips the drivers can use if they run into problems out on the roads. The tips she offers include letting the car drive you by taking your foot off the gas and to not slam on your breaks. Furthermore, she talks about how you should steer into the direction that your car is headed and let your car take the lead if you run into black ice.

You can view the link here.

Honest-1 in the Daily Local News

Our newest franchisee to the system, Jim Lehman in Malvern, Pennsylvania was recently featured in the Daily Local News! The article begins with information about how Jim decided to open up the first Honest-1 Auto Care in Pennsylvania after working for the Vanguard Group for years.  The article gives details on what Honest-1 is all about, and the focus on the environment, families, and good customer service.  The article ends with information about Jim’s desire to give back to the community that he lives in.

Regional Developer Spotlight: Jon Langbert, North Texas

As of July, Jon Langbert, 48, has become the Region Developer for Honest-1 Auto Care in North Texas. Langbert grew up in Dallas and went to the University of Texas in Austin, where he received his BBA in finance and later received his MBA from Harvard. Langbert has always had the entrepreneurial bug and in 1995 he started his own video poker business.

Franchising has always been something that peaked Langbert’s interests. He bought a Commission Express franchise and became one of their most expansive franchisees ultimately owning seven locations. Commission Express is a small specialty financing franchise that covered the United States with 70 locations. In 2010, Langbert sold all of his units individually and explained, “I had more fun buying and selling the franchises, than I did running them. That’s how I decided to become a developer.”

“I am environmentally conscious and I wanted to be part of a brand that was in tune with my values. I met the folks at Honest-1 and saw that it was an upscale franchise. I liked the fact that they were taking a product that everyone buys and making it better,” said Langbert. “Honest-1 is doing the same thing that Starbucks did for coffee. Before, you had to go to the corner bodega or Dunkin’ Donuts. But, they turned it into an upscale cultural phenomenon. I believe that Honest-1 can do the same thing for auto repair.”

How did you learn about the brand?

I looked at a few different franchise options, but knew I wanted to be a developer which narrowed my focus. I also wanted to go into a business that was early on in its growth curve so I could help reach its potential. I started by talking to other regional developers and since there are no Honest-1’s in Texas, I made arrangements to visit a fellow developer, Steve Grimes, when I went to my brother’s wedding in Seattle. I visited four of the stores with Steve and I began to understand the way they operated within the auto care industry.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

I am a private pilot, but only have about 200 flying hours so far. I play ice hockey as does my daughter and I also have triplets that take up a lot of my time. They are going into middle school, two girls and a boy. My family is my real passion.

Honest-1 Auto Care Appoints Braden Poole Operations Director

Promotion Part of Auto Care Company’s Increased Growth Plans

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Honest-1 Auto Care, the nation’s only full-service auto care company that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, is proud to announce the promotion of Braden Poole to Operations Director. The promotion is part of a departmental expansion that will include the hiring of more field managers and support staff to provide training and operational support to existing franchisees, as well as support the growth the brand is undergoing now and plans to continue in the immediate future.

“We are happy about Braden’s new position and excited about the opportunities this promotion creates for both Braden and the entire Honest-1 family,” Rissy Sutherland, COO of Honest-1 Auto Care said. “Braden has been an incredible asset to the company since he joined us one year ago and as we continue to grow and expand our franchise base he will play an important role in our continued success.”

Poole joined the Honest-1 team with over 25 years in the automotive industry, beginning his career at the age of 16 working for Yamaha as an installer. His past professional experiences include AC Delco, CSK Automotive and Pep Boys. Poole brings his incredible knowledge of the automotive industry to his new position and will utilize it to elevate and support the Honest-1 brand.

“I immediately got excited about the opportunity to work for a company like Honest-1,” says Poole. “I can’t say enough about the positive experience I’ve had so far from the owners that I’ve met and the programs we have in place, including the commitment to honesty with our certified technicians, professional and informative service mangers,  the eco-friendly approach and the welcoming environment we create with our centers. I’m excited to aid in Honest-1’s progress and watch the company continue to grow.”

Poole’s duties as Honest-1 Operations Director will be to take new franchisees, current franchisees and their staff through training, work with franchisees during their openings, and serve in a supportive role to staff in both new and current locations. Poole will also work with the corporate team and area developers on numerous future projects.

“There are so many opportunities to create relationships with our customers and to provide honest feedback regarding their vehicle’s service needs all in a straightforward, non-pressure, family-friendly and ecofriendly environment,” Poole said. “We’re really doing a lot to change the old perception of automotive repair centers and really build lasting relationships with our customers and in our communities.”

Aiming to fix the auto care customer experience, H-1 also 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. Plus, Honest-1 utilizes top of the line technology to review repairs with their customers by showing the customer their vehicle and service issues in a 3D interface to visually see their vehicle needs, and not just hear it from their customer service manager. The brand initiates proactive steps for protecting the environment by employing responsible care standards in pollution prevention, recycling, resource conservation and offering and promotion of Eco-Friday Auto Care® services. These, in addition to their consistent and trusting social media voice, demonstrate why Honest-1 “gets” their customer more than any other auto care company.

Honest-1 Auto Care plans to expand into additional 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. 

ABOUT HONEST-1 AUTO CARE
Honest-1 Auto Care is the only national full-service auto care company that is 100% ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly. Honest-1 leads the industry in numerous eco-friendly initiatives including strict recycling of automotive materials, pollution prevention, resource conservation and offering Eco-Friendly Auto Care services such as their eco-friendly fluid lines,  ECO TuneUp® and ECO Oil Change® options. In addition to its high environmental standards, Honest-1 has a very unique customer-centric approach to the auto care industry providing centers that are family-friendly, characterized by clean and upscale waiting areas, Internet cafes, children's play areas, comfortable leather chairs and couches, an HD TV and complimentary beverage stations. Honest-1 was ranked 321 in Entrepreneur magazine's 2013 "Franchise 500" and ranked 338 in the magazine's 2011 "Franchise 500" list. Additionally, Honest-1 ranked as one of the top companies in the 2011 and 2012 Lube and Oil News "Top Oil Change-Plus Chains" and in the 2013 “HOT 100 FRANCHISE LIST” by RedHotFranchises.com. For more information, visit http://www.honest-1.com. For franchise information please visit, http://www.h1franchise.com.

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Honest-1 Featured in Phoenix Business Journal

Honest-1 was recently featured in the Phoenix Business Journal in an article titled, "Honest-1 Auto Care sees big results with an emphasis on cleaner image".

The article, which includes two great photos, focused on how the Honest-1 team reconstructed the brand model to be more customer service focused, and how that new approach has yielded positive results for the growing franchise. The article included information about the sales success and growth the brand has enjoyed, and even points out the big differentiators the brand has created under the new customer-centric model that has drawn in more customers. 

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Honest-1 Auto Care sees big results with an emphasis on cleaner image

By: Tim Gallen

Taking your car to the mechanic often is not a pleasant experience. But Honest-1 Auto Care has spent the past few years rearranging that expectation. And its efforts are paying off.

The Scottsdale-based chain of automotive repair shops has seen year-over-year sales growth in excess of 30 percent over the past two years. Sales jumped 33 percent from 2011 to 2012, and so far this year, the company’s posting 36.5 percent sales growth over the previous year.

Automotive repair is a $52 billion industry, according to research firm IbisWorld.

Honest-1 Featured in IFA FranBlog

Honest-1 was recently featured in IFA FranBlog in an article titled, "This July 4th, IFA recognizes veterans who have started careers in the franchise industry".

Featured in the article is information about Portland, Oregon owner Steve Grimes. The paragraph details his military background and experience, as well as info about his Honest-1 businesses in Oregon and the upcoming opening of the Aloha location on July 5.

Click HERE for the full article or view the feature below:

This July 4th, IFA recognizes veterans who have started careers in the franchise industry

Steve Grimes
In 2007, after returning from a year-long tour of duty in Afghanistan with the 41st Brigade Combat Team of the Oregon Army National Guard, Steve Grimes was trying to decide what to do with the next chapter of his life.  Grimes found Honest-1, a young brand he felt he could grow with and opened his first location in Portland that September.  Six years later and he has been able to open four Honest-1 shops in Oregon and he will be opening his fifth Honest-1 location in Aloha, Ore., on July 5.  As a part of the grand opening, the first 50 customers will get biodegradable plant feed packets, five of which will win the customer free oil changes for a year.  He also has plans to open a sixth location in the next six months to a year.

Honest-1 Auto Care Continues to Receive Accolades and is Listed on Franchise Business Review’s Top 50 Brand of 2013

Growing Auto Care Company Garners Second Award of the Year from Well-Known Industry Publication

Honest-1 Auto Care, the nation’s only full-service auto care company that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, announced a major recognition as an auto care company but also as a top franchisor. Clocking in as one of eight automotive brands, Honest-1 was acknowledged in the “Best of 2013: Guide to Today's Top Franchises,” by FranchiseBusinessReview.com.

The ranking marks the publication’s second award honored to Honest-1 in 2013. Earlier this year, the auto-care company was also featured in their Franchise Satisfaction Awards (FBR50), an awards program that ranks companies based solely on actual franchise satisfaction.

“We are thrilled and honored to be chosen as one of Franchise Business Review’s top automotive brands,” said Rissy Sutherland, COO of Honest-1 Auto Care. “Since we put all of our effort into ensuring our customers and franchisees are happy and successful by providing not only top of the line experiences and service to our retail customers but also to our franchisees as well. We are eager to continue growing and providing top quality service to our customers and growing as a system.”

Looking at industries across several categories, the guide aims to explore emerging trends to determine which franchise concepts are the most popular and those that are working the best in their respective categories, as well as to explore from an investment and financing standpoint.

Based on a survey of more than 26,000 franchisees representing over 350 franchise brands and 125,000 franchise units/locations, Franchise Business Review acknowledged many of Honest-1’s strengths superior training, support and a vast array of franchise offerings to fit most investment levels and situations.

“Coming off a successful Q1 where our actions directly led to these honors from Franchise Business Review, we look forward to continuing the momentum,” said Chip Baranowski, Vice President of Franchise Development for Honest-1 Auto Care.  “There are many exciting things on the horizon for the brand including new territory areas we have never been in before. Our goal remains the same – to expand and prove we are a difference-maker in the industry.”

The brand recently announced a 31 percent revenue increase from quarter one of 2012 to quarter one of 2013. This continued growth comes on the heels of the 33.4 percent system-wide sales increase Honest-1 experienced in 2012 over 2011, the best increase in the company’s history. Marked by two new region developer deals signed in quarter one to further anchor the growing company in the Midwest and East Coast, Honest-1 is slated for significant location expansion this year.

Aiming to fix the auto care customer experience, H-1 also 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. Plus, Honest-1 utilizes top of the line technology to review repairs with their customers by showing the customer their vehicle and service issues in a 3D interface to visually see their vehicle needs, and not just hear it from their customer service manager. These, in addition to their consistent and trusting social media voice, demonstrate why Honest-1 “gets” their customer more than any other auto care company.

Honest-1 Auto Care plans to expand into additional 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 Featured in Courier News

Honest-1 was recently featured in the Courier News in an article titled, "Auto repair shop in Flemington touts service and quality". 

The article, which includes an awesome headline and nice photo of Honest-1 owner Barry Lasher, talks about Honest-1 and what the brand offers the community. The article showcases Barry as someone looking for a career transition and included the reasoning why he was attracted to Honest-1. This article also included tips for car care provided by Honest-1. 

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Auto repair shop in Flemington touts service and quality

By: Erica Lamberg

Barry Lasher, 39, worked in information technology before his transition to a career as an auto mechanic and shop owner. With a degree from New York Institute of Technology, Lasher worked for various companies in their information technology departments following graduation. He resides in Princeton Junction in Mercer County and is the married father of three young sons.

About two years ago, Lasher first discovered Honest-1 Auto Care when researching franchise opportunities. He said he liked the brand’s focus on family experience and eco-friendly practices, as well as the idea of owning his own business. He was becoming disenchanted with the cubicle life and was looking for a career change. To ramp up his education, Lasher learned about cars on the weekends from his brother-in-law, whom is a mechanic in South Jersey. Last October, Lasher made the decision to open Honest-1 Auto Care located at 464 Route 202 North in Flemington.

Franchisee Spotlight: Tracy and Kristin Steward

Originally from Arkansas, Tracy graduated from Hendrix College with a degree in Business and Economics followed by attending the University of Central Arkansas where he graduated with an MBA. After graduating, he moved to Phoenix in 1993 to take a job with FHP Healthcare, later purchased by PacifiCare Health Systems and finally by United Healthcare. He stayed there for 17 years, eventually becoming the director of the provider contract loading department managing 150-plus employees.  His wife, Kristin, originally from Pennsylvania, graduated with a degree in psychology from Hendrix College in Arkansas and later went on to get her Elementary Education Teacher Certificate and Masters in Education. She currently runs an in-home pre-school. 

How did you learn about the brand?

After working for United Healthcare I was looking for new opportunities and I met with a franchise consultant. I looked at a number of different concepts ranging from temporary agencies  to senior care but working in the auto industry really fascinated me.

Why did you choose an opportunity with Honest-1?

We ended up choosing Honest-1 for a number of reasons. Coming from the healthcare industry I had a deep root in service and helping people; Honest-1’s system and their eco-friendly approach to the industry was very intriguing. The most important thing we liked about this model is the relationship building and the fact that we have a physical location so we can be a focal point in the community.

What makes your business unique in the community?

The reality is that we stick to our morals and we’re always honest whether the situation is good or bad.  We strive to be open and honest with our customers so they are never surprised. We help our customers make a plan so they are prepared for any issues with their vehicles.  Respect in this industry for the customer and their car is important to us. In order to build long standing relationships with our customers we seek to earn that respect through everything we do. 

Are you involved with any charities or do any community outreach with your business?

We feel very strongly that giving back to our community is not an option but a responsibility. Personally, I enjoy being a part of Cub Scouts with my boys. I am the treasurer of our local Cub Scout pack and Pinewood Derby Committee Leader. Unofficially, we’ve partnered with several community organizations with several donation drives including Arizona Helping Hands, Packages From Home and the Susan G. Komen Foundation and like being active with them.  We also do a pretty prominent pajama and children’s book drive through the Pajama Program and have given away discounts to veterans for Memorial Day in the past.

What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now?

One of the greatest advantages of purchasing the shop was that I came in with some really great employees and recently have had added to that; to us the most important thing is having the right people doing the right things so that we can continue to build relationships with our customers.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Honest1?

I have plans to open another shop by 2014 and our end goal is to be the go-to auto care solution in the community.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions?

My wife, Kristin, and I have four children and our family is our true passion.

Honest-1 Auto Care Featured in Indianapolis Business Journal

Honest-1 Auto Care was recently featured in the Indianapolis Business Journal in an article titled, "Honest-1 Auto Care Celebrates April Car Care Month with Free Safety Inspection and Seasonal Tips". 

The piece is part of Honest-1's effort to raise awareness of National Auto Care month during April, along with their offer of free safety inspections. The feature gives car owners tips on how to ensure their car stays in its best working condition, especially since recent trends have shown owners are keeping their automobiles on the road longer than ever. Form simple tips like keeping your tires properly inflated to proper acceleration techniques, this is a must-read for any driver. 

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Honest-1 Auto Care Celebrates April Car Care Month with Free Safety Inspection and Seasonal Tips

April marks National Car Care Month, and with spring entering full bloom, for safety and operation purposes, it is important to make sure your vehicle looks the part for the season. To gear up for the open road, Honest-1 Auto Care (Honest-1), one of the only national full-service auto care company that is 100 percent ESA(R) Certified Eco-Friendly, is offering expert tips for recommended maintenance every car owner can benefit from, based on the auto company's strategic approach to car care.

"With spring underway and the promise of warmer weather, we know our customers will have the itch to hit the road for those dream routes of leisure and exploration," said Rissy Sutherland, COO of Honest-1 Auto Care. "That's why for National Car Care Month, we encourage everyone to come into the shop to receive a free safety inspection. We also encourage our customers to 'like' us on Facebook to learn additional car care tips."

Honest-1 Featured on DigitalJournal.com

Honest-1 Auto Care was recently featured on DigitalJournal.com in an article titled, "Honest-1 Auto Care Celebrates April Car Care Month with Free Safety Inspection and Seasonal Tips". The article features professional car care advice from Honest-1 experts, and touches upon Honest-1's offer of free inspections to help keep drivers safe and ensure their vehicles are up to date on all maintenance issues.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Honest-1 Auto Care Celebrates April Car Care Month with Free Safety Inspection and Seasonal Tips

April marks National Car Care Month, and with spring entering full bloom, for safety and operation purposes, it is important to make sure your vehicle looks the part for the season. To gear up for the open road, Honest-1 Auto Care (Honest-1), one of the only national full-service auto care company that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, is offering expert tips for recommended maintenance every car owner can benefit from, based on the auto company’s strategic approach to car care.

“With spring underway and the promise of warmer weather, we know our customers will have the itch to hit the road for those dream routes of leisure and exploration,” said Rissy Sutherland, COO of Honest-1 Auto Care. “That’s why for National Car Care Month, we encourage everyone to come into the shop to receive a free safety inspection. We also encourage our customers to ‘like’ us on Facebook to learn additional car care tips.”

Honest-1 suggests the following tips to help car owners see their vehicles spring back to life.

Honest-1 Auto Care Revs Up its Industry Recognition with Respected Oil & Lube Magazine Ranking

Second Industry Award of 2013 Puts Growing Auto Care Chain in Center of Conversation of Lube Shops

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Honest-1 Auto Care (Honest-1), a national full-service auto care company that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, was named number 31 on Oil & Lube Magazine’s annual Tops In The Industry Rankings for 2013. The company increased five spots from their number 36 rank in 2012.

“We are thrilled to be chosen as one of Oil & Lube Magazine’s top oil change locations this year since our locations are constantly focusing on these cornerstone auto care jobs,” said Chip Baranowski, Vice President of Franchise Development for Honest-1 Auto Care. “While our mechanics are trained to handle most repairs, oil changes remain at the center of our 21-point inspection, or patented ECO 360 oil.”

Each year, the publication conducts an extensive research program to quantify and rank the top auto care changes in not only the nation, but internationally, as well. The rankings particularly looked at “fast lube” locations, or those organizations deriving much of their income from quick, convenient oil change services and other preventative car care maintenance. It also takes into account “plus” locations having dual profit centers, such as muffler shops, auto care shops and mass merchant retailers. Companies offering oil changes as simply an additional service, but not the prime focus, were left off the list.

In total, 54 fast lube change companies were selected and 57 oil change plus locations were selected, with Honest-1 being in the plus category for its diversity in maintenance offerings. Coming off the brand’s inclusion in the eighth annual Franchise Business Review’s 2013 Franchise Satisfaction Awards (FBR50), the only awards program to rank companies based solely on actual franchise satisfaction, this ranking helps position Honest-1 as a major player in the industry.

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 to visually see their vehicle needs, and not just hear it from their customer service manager.

“We know the customer has a myriad of options to choose from for their auto care service,” said Rissy Sutherland, COO of Honest-1 Auto Care. “But we like to think that we ‘get’ our customer better than any other company in the segment. Not only will you feel fully confident in our auto care services, you will also be able to relax and get what you need to get done while we service your vehicle, making your experience much more efficient and satisfying.”

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. 

To read the full article and findings, please click here: http://noln.epubxp.com/i/110840

Honest-1 Featured in Daytona Beach News-Journal

Honest-1 Auto Care was recently featured in the Daytona Beach News-Journal in an article titled, "Auto parts retailers, repair chains open more Volusia-Flagler locations".

The article discusses how automobile owners are keeping their cars longer than ever and how auto care shops are capitalizing on the trend, specifically in Volusia-Flagler area. Vice President of Franchise Development, Chip Baranowski, discusses how automobile owners are looking for alternatives to the dealerships and their expansion plans for Florida.

Click HERE for the full article or begin reading below:

Auto parts retailers, repair chains open more Volusia-Flagler locations

By: Jeffrey Cassady 

Lean economy or no, automobile owners have to keep their vehicles in running order. And now that they're holding on to their vehicles longer, that often requires more than just the occasional oil change.

Auto care shops and parts stores are banking on that and are looking to expand in the Volusia-Flagler area.

"In this part of the country, it's almost a rite of passage to get a car when you're 16 or 17," said Marshall Reddy, president of FranNet Florida, a Jacksonville company that advises entrepreneurs looking to buy franchised businesses. "There are some (industries) that are recession-resistant . . . Auto care is one of them."

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.