Honest-1 on Live 5 News

Honest-1 was featured on Live 5 News.

April is National Car Care Month, and Honest-1 shared various tips for maintaining your car this season. Car care specialist Angie Hanna mentioned the importance of making sure your brakes, tires, and windshield wipers are all ready for rain this spring.

To read the full story, click 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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Area Developer Spotlight: Greg Gonville, Philadelphia

Greg Gonville, 45, is the regional developer for Honest-1 Auto Care in Philadelphia. Greg received his B.A. in business management and entrepreneurship from Northeastern University.  He also has his MBA in technology and e-commerce from West Chester University. As an undergraduate, Greg put his entrepreneurial curriculum into practice and successfully started two businesses: a t-shirt production and design company and a seal coating company for homes and commercial buildings.

In 2000, Gonville went to work for Sara Lee Household and Body care where he was in charge of $135 million division of the corporation which included brands such as Kiwi, Kiwi Select, Ty-D-Bol, and Liquifresh. After five years at Sara Lea, Govnille went to work for SCA Personal Care in Philadelphia, P.A.

But, after years of corporate management, Greg was ready for a change. After doing his research on various franchises, Greg discovered that Honest-1 Auto Care would be his next step.

How did you learn about the brand?

When I left the corporate world, the personal care company I was working for was being restructured. I got a severance package and during that time I was thinking through my career and what I’ve done and what I wanted to do. I wanted to run my own business and I had always had a knack for automotive repair. I got together with a broker and they showed me a bunch of different companies, but I didn’t see anything that interested me. When a local auto shop came up for sale, I went to visit it. While visiting, I just thought about all the things I would change. It was dingy and old and dirty and I wanted to change that. I went to a discovery day for another franchise. While I was there, I was talking to other prospective franchisees and they told me about Honest-1, and it was exactly what I was looking for. I saw that they were looking for a regional developer and that fit my personality, so I shifted from being an owner to being a regional developer.

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

One challenge I’ve faced is discipline. When you are an employee, you get up and go to work. But when you own a business, you have to have both drive and discipline. Learning to be flexible was also a challenge; when things change, you have to be able roll with that. Patience is also key in any business ownership. You have to be patient.

What is your end goal with Honest-1?

My end goal is to have 15–20 shops in my territory. I have some great employees helping me and the owners realize their goals. Currently, I have no shops open, but we will have one open in the second week of September in Malvern.

What are some of the publications you read? Local? National? What is your goal publication with your business?

The Inquirer

Do you have any interesting hobbies or passions?

I stay active by playing ice hockey and baseball. I am also married with two children—my son is 12 and my daughter is 15.

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.

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.

A Women’s Point of View: Shoes for Cars

by Colette Cooley, Cars For Keeps Office Manager

We finally had our first snowfall. How do you all feel about that? I will remain (yuck) neutral (ugh) about the subject. Anyway, one of the special things we all get to think about in the winter is, “How are the tires on my car?”

Now if you spent last summer “sandblasting” on the beach and did not get stuck, sunk or shucked*, you are probably okay for the snow this winter. However, most of us in the real world consider carefully our high expectations of safety and comfort and dependability for our cars in dangerous driving conditions. Tires. There are three facts that we can’t escape. Every car has to have them. They are not cheap. And, very few of us know which ones to get for our car. At Cars For Keeps you can be sure of three things.

Every car has to have tires. Dennis, our service manager, will get the best price that he can find for you. Yes, he price shops. And, he is knowledgeable about which tires are best for your car. Your safety is our main concern. Have you ever wondered why tires are always black?

Let us look at this area of concern for women by comparing tires to shoes. Are they always dressed for dinner? Black is beautiful, but sometimes you just need pink. Wouldn’t red and white strips be eye-catching? Or perhaps purple polka dots on a yellow background? Or…............. Neon!

*Shucked is the term used when you get your car stuck up to it’s (ummm)……trunk, and the tires are spinning out of control, and you had to crawl out the window because the door won’t open and it is sinking like a stone in quicksand and you are standing beside the car saying, “Aw, Shucks”.

Thanks, Colette. I enjoyed my 30 mile commute in the blizzard belt as well. It wasn't as much "fun" (no white knuckles) because I had snow tires. Stay warm, everybody!

Lifetime Transmission Fluids: Who’s Lifetime?

by Dennis Sweet, Service Manager at Cars for Keeps

Hello everyone, If you have called or stopped into our shop, you have probably spoken with me. We may have even talked about maintenance. I have always felt that if I can help a client better understand the needs of their vehicle, they will better understand why we recommend it being performed.

I bring up this topic today, not only because it is important, but because I also had this exact conversation with one of our clients today. The topic was transmission fluid and why we had recommended the vehicles to be flushed out and replaced with new. Our client had responded, "but my owners manual states that my vehicle has 'Lifetime Transmission Fluid'". My response to this is, “Who’s lifetime, yours or your vehicles transmission?????" Transmission fluid, just as any other fluid a vehicle uses will wear out, get dirty, break down and even burn.

With this in mind, how long of a lifetime will the transmission have if it is trying to pump contaminated, broken down fluid through its system - or, to put in other terms, veins? I will let you think about for now, but will leave you with our perspective: it is in our best interest to think of your best interest. Our goal is to help you keep your vehicle in the best running condition it can be for as long as you want to own that vehicle. “No payments, just Maintenance.”

So long for now, Dennis

Cars for Keeps' Waiting Room: a Spa Parlor or a Repair Shop?

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

The waiting room here at the shop is not your average auto garage waiting room. Most repair shops disregard this aspect of business - after all, what does a cleanly waiting room have to do with fixing your car? Many repair shops I've been don't even have a waiting area - just a little grungy corner for you to stand clutching your wallet while you wait.

Cars for Keeps Owner Rob Hopp has a different philosophy on auto repair service, emphasizing the service aspect and recognizing that the car and the customer are a package deal. Sure, the quality of the repair is most important, but where is it written that quality repairs have to come from cramped, dirty facilities?

Cars for Keeps goes out of its way to provide not only the best repair service in town, but the best customer service as well. That means a comfortable waiting area for moms, kids, professionals and anyone else who drops by. I happened to drop by the shop last week and was again impressed with the reception area's cleanliness and commodities. Here are a few pictures I snapped of some of the facility's highlights. You can tell Rob takes pride in his shop - and his customers.

Coffee, tea or...Pepsi? The only things here that require change are the two gumball machines in the corner - which we think parents won't mind at all.

Yes, you're looking at a flat screen TV, comfy chairs and a squeaky clean floor. Catch up on the news, or a snooze while waiting for an oil change - your preference.

Kid's play area is conveniently adjacent to the adult play area. To clarify, those magazines are current within the last few months, not culled from decade old boxes.

The high speed internet-equipped computer is over in the corner to the left. Brought your own? Take advantage of the facility's free Wi-Fi.

Here's the crew crunching numbers behind the desk. This is where you can find Customer Service Manager Dennis' smiling face.

If you've been putting off routine maintenance because going to the shop is too inconvenient, try Cars for Keeps' accommodating facility. Catch up on work, play with your kids, surf the net or get caffeinated; we promise you won't have to stand in a corner while you wait.

Snow Tire FAQs: Michigan Winter Driving Essentials

by Marjorie, Cars for Keeps Social Media Manager

If you've lived in Michigan your entire life, like me, you understand how easy it is to become helpless to the winter elements. If you're new to the area, then you're in for a treat; Michigan's legendary lake effect snow is beautiful, unpredictable and an absolute horror for unprepared winter travelers. While there's not much we can do about keeping our cars from being buried in snow drifts or coated in ice every morning, we can do something about making sure our cars remain on the road - once we've managed to get there.

Here are a few basic facts you should know about snow tires. Check out the YouTube video at the end of this post if you don't believe tread really makes a difference. Which car will you be?

Aren't all-weather tires good enough for winter?

No. Again, I refer you to the video in this post for proof. All-weather tires are designed for dry and wet conditions in warm weather, but they're in no way prepared to give tread on black ice, packed snow and sandy slush. Snow tires are specially made with softer rubber and carefully placed grooves which quickly wear down on dry pavement - which is why you should never leave your snow tires on past spring...unless you like buying new snow tires every year.

When should I put on my snow tires?

Well, how brave are you? If you're a daredevil like me, you may intentionally wait until after the first snowfall just to test your ice-racing skills. For the rest of you, who value your and your family's safety above thrill, it's best to have snow tires put on before the first snowfall, which, in Michigan, could be anytime between October 15th and December 30th. Typically, having snow tires put on a few weeks before Thanksgiving is plenty early enough, and it ensures safe holiday travel.

Should I get studded tires?

This question is best directed to your tire dealer or auto repair shop (I'm sure Dennis has a strong opinion), but there aren't very many situations where studded tires help you more than regular snow tires - in some environments, studded tires can actually give you less traction. Studs are only good for packed snow and ice, and they will hinder traction in thick snow, slush and dry pavement. So unless you're commuting across the tundra in Alaska, sticking to unstudded snow tires is a safe bet.

Should I get two snow tires or four?

Tire dealers and some mechanics have a strong opinion on this question, too. But for those of us who would prefer not to spend an extra $250 on two superfluous snow tires, here are the bare facts: front wheel drive cars should at least have both front wheels equipped with snow tires, and likewise, rear wheel drive cars should at least have snow tires on both rear wheels. All wheel drive automobiles, of course, should have four snow tires. It's true that having snow tires on all four wheels, even on front and rear wheel drive cars, provides ideal traction, but having only powered wheels fitted with snow tires will still provide far more traction than regular summer or all-weather tires.

For rear wheel drive owners, remember to throw some weight in the back. Keeping your summer tires or some bricks in the trunk - or bed - will give you an extra boost in traction.

Safe driving!

Happy Birthday to Cars for Keeps: 20 Years of Quality Service

by Dennis Sweet, Service Manager at Cars for Keeps.

Happy Birthday sounds nice at any age. Some people would like to quit having birthdays once they've reached a certain age. Well, I say bring on the birthdays. In case any you are wondering what I am rambling about, I am not talking about myself; I am talking about Cars for Keeps.

As of November 1, 2009 we are 20 years old - hurray! For us, that means 20 years of helping people like yourselves keep your vehicles as long as you wanted to. Here’s to another 20 years of great clients and the satisfaction of being able to help people by keeping their cars healthy.

Thank you to all who have made these last years so rewarding. You have made saying happy birthday worth it.

Until next time,

Dennis

Automatic Transmission Failure: How to Check Fluid and Prevent Costly Breakdowns

by Marjorie, Social Media Marketing Manager for Cars for Keeps

No two words strike fear into the hearts of those of us who are not mechanically inclined like the words: transmission failure.

Checking my engine oil may be the extent of my automotive expertise, but I've learned that having a faulty automatic transmission can mean almost certain death for a vehicle. For most cars, particularly those that are getting on in life, the cost of replacing an automatic transmission exceeds the value of the entire vehicle - rather like totaling your car.

Fortunately, transmission failure does not happen randomly; indeed, catching the early signs of transmission trouble is easy if you know what to look for. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your automatic transmission doesn't cause premature car death.

1) Own cars with manual transmissions. Ok, so this isn't exactly a solution to maintaining an automatic transmission, but car owners should be aware of the differences between manual (standard) and automatic transmissions. Manual transmissions (or "stick shifts") are more energy efficient than automatics, but more importantly, they have far fewer moving parts - which means way less maintenance and risk of part failure. Sure, you can talk on your cell phone, keep the kids in the backseat from fighting and drink your coffee simultaneously while driving an automatic, but a manual transmission will never conk out like an automatic.

2) Check automatic transmission fluid (ATF) regularly. This is really not hard - no harder than checking your oil levels. If you're unsure exactly which dipstick is for the ATF or what to look for once you find it, watch this short video on how to check your car's ATF. If you're still unsure, there's a great little auto repair shop on Fulton Street where the mechanics would be happy to show you.

Keep in mind, you're looking for two things: level and color. The fluid mark needs to hit between the low and high marks, and it should be nice and red.

3) Change your ATF regularly! Although it may seem like this step would naturally follow the previous step, there are those of us (like me) who need the reminder. If your transmission fluid is dark, brown or muddy-colored, it's time for a professional to take a peek and probably perform a transmission fluid flush.

Please think twice before taking your car to a drive-through service for transmission fluid flushes. There are many reasons why these places don't always offer the best service for your money, but a certified AAA repair shop like Cars for Keeps will certainly give you a more thorough flush and overall checkup.

4) Listen to your car. As we've said here before, your car will usually tell you something is wrong before a major breakdown. Any out of the ordinary noises could be suspect, so bring your car in for inspection if you hear anything unusual. J.B. Herbert gives us a few pointers here:

Safe driving and healthy cars until next time!

A Woman’s Point of View: The Mechanic and What Makes Him Tick

by: Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

Oct. 9, 2009

As an observer of human nature (as most women are), we notice personality types all the time. Consciously or unconsciously, we gather visual data about people so we know if we are in our safety/comfort zone with any person at any given time.

Now that I have covered the deep psychic stuff, let’s have some fun with it. Just remember, there are exceptions to every rule.

Mechanics with whom I have worked have a tendency to be introverts. They are much more comfortable with machines than they are with people. Every car they work on is a personal challenge. It does not seem to matter whether the job is large and complicated or small and simple. It is personal. It is what a blank canvas is to an artist. To be made into something beautiful. They are passionate about cars and how they can make each car run like a finely tuned instrument. They spend their lunch time watching “car things” on the computer and their weekends doing “car things”. They are always building. Always creating. Always solving. It is the epitome of the creative process in a most masculine way.

And who benefits from all this positive energy? Why, we women of course. Another perfect solution.