Honest-1 in The Press and News

Honest-1 in The Press and News

Honest-1 Auto Care was recently featured in The Press and News. The article is a great story about Matt Sederstrom’s Maple Grove Honest-1 shop. In the story, Matt discusses the importance of becoming a part of the community and truly caring for his customers. Matt and his employees focus on being open and available for the customers. This involves being open in the evenings, on Saturdays and Sundays, and having loaner cars for customer use. Rissy Sutherland was also included in the story. She praised Matt and his staff for their outstanding customer-service model. 

View the full article 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. 

Rissy Sutherland COO of Honest-1 Auto Care is on Front Cover of Ratchet+Wrench

Rissy Sutherland describes how she helped Honest-1 Auto Care become America’s fastest-growing MSO—while keeping its focus on the customer. Rissy Sutherland helped build Honest-1 Auto Care into a repair business that she feels meets the demands and desires of modern customer demographics.

Read the full digital article here.

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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Greensboro Honest-1 Auto Care Celebrates Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting

Local Owner Erik Rhyne Invites the Public Out to Celebrate Honest-1’s Commitment to the Greensboro Community

GREENSBORO, NC.– Honest-1 Auto Care (Honest-1), the only national full-service auto repair and maintenance franchise that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, is proud to announce a ribbon cutting at the Greensboro Honest-1 location owned by Erik Rhyne on Wednesday, September 18^th, 2013. The ribbon cutting is a celebration of the Greensboro Honest-1’s commitment to the community by joining the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.

"As the owner of Honest-1 Auto Care in my native Greensboro, NC, I am so excited to have brought the new face of what automotive repair should be to our great city,” said Erik Rhyne, owner of the Greensboro Honest-1. “It's time to put the customer first and there's no doubt from the rave reviews we’ve received from our happy customers in Greensboro that we are doing just that!”

The ribbon cutting will take place at 2 p.m. and will feature refreshments, discounts, a speech from Rhyne, and the unveiling of the brand new Greensboro Honest-1 vehicle. There will also be a raffle for a VIP Card. Members from the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce will attend the ribbon cutting and Greensboro Mayor Robbie Perkins, Greensboro City Council members and community leaders have been invited to take part in the celebration. The public is invited to attend and experience all that Greensboro’s Honest-1 location has to offer. Honest-1 team members will be on site to answer any questions.

“Honest-1 has prided itself on its commitment to the community it serves and we’re very excited to celebrate the eco-friendly car repair we provide to the residents of Greensboro,” said Rissy Sutherland, COO of Honest-1. “Through our partnership with Erik, we’re able to bring awareness and genuine customer service that is both family and female-friendly, as well as the highest quality auto care to the community. Not only are we continuing to put ourselves in front of new customers, we’re able to uphold our promise of being the best choice for full-service auto repair.”

Rhyne’s Honest-1 takes pride in supporting Greensboro’s public service officials including police, firefighters, and teachers by offering them a 10% discount.  They have also enjoyed a positive relationship with nearby UNC-Greensboro since opening, providing students with a 10% off labor discount, and have partnered with Wheels for Hope and other charities and community organizations as well.

With emphasis on servicing customers from all capacities, Honest-1 technicians have a wide scope of knowledge from oil changes to more advanced transmission-based service work to ensure long-term efficiency of vehicles. The trustworthiness and comfortable experience provided at each location, combined with professional employees and owner-operators, positions Honest-1 for even greater success in the future.

“We are proud to be an active member of the Greensboro community and plan to continue striving to make a positive impact,” said Rhyne. “As new members of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, we invite all of our current customers, as well as anyone who hasn’t yet stopped by, to come join us for our ribbon cutting ceremony and see what we have to offer and learn why our motto at Honest-1 is ‘The most important part is you’!"

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 the ECO TuneUp and ECO Oil Change. 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, big screen TVs 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 Lube and Oil News 2011 "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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Franchisee Spotlight: Erik Rhyne

Erik Rhyne, age 30, was born and raised in Greensboro and had high hopes of becoming a NASCAR Race official. After graduating high school, Rhyne went to NASCAR Technical Institute and graduated in 2006 at the top of his class. BMW corporate saw Rhyne’s potential and recruited him to train as a master technician on scholarship in Roanoke, VA.  After graduating, Rhyne worked at various auto bodies as a master technician, and then received a call from his mother who sat next to Rissy Sutherland, president of Honest-1, on a flight. Rhyne moved back to his hometown of Greensboro and opened his own Honest-1 AutoCare at the age of 29.

How did you learn about the brand?

My mom was on a flight and happened to have a seat next to Rissy Sutherland, the president of Honest-1. They began talking and my mom told her I was a mechanic and Rissy provided more information about the franchise. She said the Greensboro location was open and it’s the first and only Honest-1 in the state of North Carolina.

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

I love auto repair and my wife and I are very eco-friendly, which Honest-1 spotlights. I don’t want to do anything just to generate profit; I want to be proud of my work on a daily basis. Their environment was comforting to me. They have everything I require.  

What makes your business unique in the community?

There are plenty of automotive repair shops in the area but we are clean, attractive, and nice. The eco-friendly services we offer are very unique and the fact that we can give people a pleasant experience in a stereotypically unpleasant business speaks volumes about the brand.

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

We partner with Wheels for Hope where we repair donated cars and sell them to needy families at an extremely low cost. We donate our labor and parts at no cost. We are also well connected with the University of North Carolina – Greensboro. We work closely with students with autism or Asperger’s who work in the auto shop and learn how automotive repair works. I give my employees PTO to volunteer in the community, which isn't a norm for most businesses.

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

Being in management as a young person is something I've had to learn how to do. During the recession, it was also difficult to get a bank on board, and in addition to having two young kids and working full- time, my experiences have definitely been challenging.

What are your expansion or development plans? What is your end goal with Honest-1 Auto Care?

We would like to open more locations in Greensboro and the surrounding area within the next 2-3 years.

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 Auto Care Revs Up Financial Growth with 31.6 Percent Sales Increase from Q1 2012 to Q1 2013

Pioneering Auto Care Chain Demonstrates Business Model is Dominating with Strong Year-Over-Year Sales

Honest-1 Auto Care (Honest-1), a national full-service auto care company that is 100 percent ESA® Certified Eco-Friendly, 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.

“Demonstrated through the hard-work of every associate in our network, we are thrilled to see returns this strong from a year-over-year perspective, especially because this is generally an unprecedented type of increase in the automotive or franchising world,” said Rissy Sutherland, COO of Honest-1 Auto Care. “From a strategic growth standpoint, we are just getting started. We have made some strong expansion strides in the past year and are focused on the next phase of our company’s progress.”

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.

Chip Baranowski, Vice President of Franchise Development for Honest-1 Auto Care, cites the importance of market diversification to the company’s future sales health.

“We have cornerstone regions where we are very strong such as Arizona, Minnesota and the Pacific Northwest,” Baranowski said. “But growing into Ohio, for example, we hope demonstrates to customers our approach to auto service works  because of the customer-centric values we have in place – honesty, a comfortable experience, and a meaningful car care education for customers. We can’t wait to roll up our sleeves and keep things going.”

Honest-1 prides itself on servicing the customer from all capacities. From an informational standpoint, their technicians have a wide scope of knowledge to impart for general and more advanced transmission-based service work on their website, tips that help preserve the long-term efficiency of one’s vehicle. They provide all scopes of service work, from basic oil changes to full transmission diagnostics and complete auto repair services, to ensure the customer feels comfortable that every single repair job or recommendation will help improve the vehicle and is actually necessary.

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 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.

“We work hard to be not only a company servicing vehicles, but one that is a partner to each customer,” said Sutherland. “That’s why 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 details about how we plan to work together to grow Honest-1 and our communities to the next level.”

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 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.