Before opening a new business, entrepreneurs like you should take the time to research each opportunity you’re considering. This research will help you ensure that you’re investing in a business that has a healthy chance of succeeding. If you’re thinking about opening a tire shop, start by finding answers to the following questions:
While you may be able to find some answers with a simple Google search, other questions will require a deeper dive. Luckily, the Big O Tires team is happy to share our expertise. Having been in the automotive services business for over six decades, we’ve helped plenty of first-time owners start a tire shop.
Opening a Big O franchise is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurs like you to rise to the top of the automotive services industry. We encourage entrepreneurs to ask us any questions about the process and our brand, regardless of their background and level of experience.
Here are some common things that you should do before opening a tire shop:
Many entrepreneurs consider conducting a market analysis vital to their decision-making process (1) when starting a business. Investigating the state of the overall industry is a great place to begin. You should take time to gather data and information about the automotive services space from a variety of sources. This includes researching important factors, including the following:
Getting a “lay of the land” can help you instill the right practices and habits at your location from day one. You’ll also be well-equipped to avoid the same pitfalls other business owners in the industry commonly struggle with. Of course, franchising with Big O gets you access to our resources and expertise in the market, so you’ll be better prepared to run a tire shop than if you were to go about it alone.
Next, you should formulate a business plan incorporating your vision for your shop’s operations, staffing, marketing, and customer service, among other aspects. This is crucial for ensuring your business can build positive momentum in its early days.
Big O Tires utilizes a proven franchise business model that has helped our franchisees generate positive results from day one. Our overall success as a brand is heavily impacted by our franchisees’ performance. This serves as great motivation to support each of our franchise owners in their efforts to become their area's top auto repair shop.
Start by researching the available local areas to understand where demand exists for tire-related services. Once you find a territory to operate in, you must find the ideal place to open your business. Choose a spot that is easily accessible with good visibility - preferably located near busy roads or highways. Big O Tires can help you with site selection, as we also consider factors such as:
Those who franchise with Big O receive access to a protected territory. This means that we ensure that your franchise will not have any other Big O locations within a two-mile radius. This gives you the freedom to operate in your area without competing with another Big O franchise.
Take the time to look into wholesale pricing, delivery options, and terms offered by tire suppliers. You’ll also have to decide on the variety of tire brands you will stock based on customer demand and your budget.
Big O Tires franchisees can leverage our existing relationships with vendors and purchasing power to strengthen their businesses. With our help, new businesses can establish relationships with reliable tire suppliers. Thanks to our franchise agreement, you can acquire inventory for your shop at more favorable prices than you would pay on your own. You can then pass those savings along to customers, attracting more drivers to your location(s).
If you want to discuss the process of opening an automotive franchise with Big O Tires, reach out to us today for more information!
1 The Importance of Market Research in Business Plan; Scaalex; May 12, 2023
Starting a new auto shop from the ground up is a major undertaking with a lot of components, which is why so many independents start small. However, if you choose [SM1] an established brand like Big O Tires to open an auto shop franchise, you will have an experienced brand that can help you open a larger operation with 9 to 12 lifts and multiple service offerings. Having operated in the auto repair industry for 62 years, we have a proven franchise system to get an automotive services business off the ground and in a strong position within your market.
Auto repair stores can be recession resistant due a consistent level of consumer demand that makes them an attractive business venture for investors. With such a high number of cars regularly on the road, there’s an inevitable need for maintenance and repair work – leading most consumers to seek expert car care. With over 465 locations and growing, Big O Tires has carved out a niche in the auto shop franchise market that caters to middle class neighborhoods that value great customer service, a clean friendly environment, and an honest value for their money.
There are several steps that you will likely have to take before you can open an auto shop franchise. The natural advantage of franchising is to receive a high level of support and guidance throughout this process.
First, visit the websites of relevant brands and do your due diligence to determine which franchise opportunity aligns with what you wish to accomplish in your next business venture.
Once you have decided which auto maintenance brand you want to partner with, you should also research and decide on the market you want to enter. Ideally, your franchisor will help you find and start putting together what you need in the specific location within the territory that you have chosen.
When you have your site picked out, you can next decide whether or not to construct a new facility or use the existing building if one is on the site. You will want to consider the costs you could incur for each situation, along with the benefits that they can bring for your new franchise.
An automotive services franchise often requires very specific equipment and other inventory to deliver a quality level of service to customers. You should determine the optimal amount of equipment you’ll need to operate a successful auto mechanic business and balance it with what you can afford to purchase.
In an industry as technical as automotive services, you will need to hire staff that are adequately trained and knowledgeable on the work they will do for your customers’ vehicles. You will likely want to hire staff that have Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification or individuals that are willing to obtain it before starting their employment with your franchise.
Your franchise marketing efforts should start before you celebrate your grand opening to ensure that your new franchise will have plenty of momentum from the start. An experienced franchisor with plenty of industry expertise and marketing resources can offer plenty of value in this area on your behalf.
Now you are ready to open your automotive services franchise and welcome new customers to your business. With the franchise process complete, you can now shift your focus to day-to-day operations and establishing yourself as the preferred option for auto maintenance among those in your area.
Owning a franchise requires a significant commitment of finances, time, and other valuable resources, so you'll want to choose a franchisor who shares your enthusiasm for seeing your franchise succeed. At Big O Tires, we use our own specific franchise process to help new franchisees like you get started and hit the ground running with positive momentum.
With how we structure our automotive repair franchise, the Big O Tires brand relies on the success of individual franchisees like you. It’s just part of the reason why you can join the Big O Tires family with confidence, knowing we are here to support your auto shop franchise along the way!
Reach out to us today to learn more about the Big O Tires franchise process and get started!
As a small business owner, one of the most important jobs you’ll have is getting the word out about your goods or services. This is true of a Big O tire shop franchise, too. Luckily, you can count on plenty of our expert in-house national and regional marketing to help you reach your best customers, letting them know all about your expert tire and auto care services. Having said that, it’ll be up to you to initiate and manage local marketing efforts that let your community know you’re ready to keep its cars in great shape! Read on to learn about some smart ways to do that.
Nothing beats the power of networking, and there is no better place to do that than at your local Chamber of Commerce. These organizations provide excellent regular opportunities to meet new faces, chat with community members, and converse with other business owners.
Meeting members of your community, sharing stories and experiences with them, and letting them know you’re there to provide expert automotive care goes a long way toward growing your tire shop franchise.
Generally speaking, Chambers help promote the interests of local business communities, boosting their visibility and credibility and helping small business owners increase sales.
Chambers also frequently offer members free or discounted marketing services, access to advice from small business experts, and other resources not otherwise available, making your membership an even smarter move.
Community involvement will go a long way toward marketing a franchise and seeing its growth, and sponsorships are a terrific way to get involved! Sponsoring local food drives, art walks, kids’ sports teams, and more are great ways to get the word out about your franchise while at the same time making meaningful contributions to your city or town. Sponsoring an event or a team confirms your commitment to your community and positions you as a leader in it — all good ways to reinforce the value of what it is you have to offer.
Who doesn’t know about Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and other huge social media platforms? Today an astounding 36.8% (1) of the world’s population uses Facebook to connect with others, to keep up on news, or to learn more about products and services. In fact, it’s estimated that there are 4.7 billion social media users across the globe, so it doesn’t take much to realize the potential of using it as a marketing tool.
As a Big O Tires franchisee, you can harness the power of social media to reach your best customers and let them know all about your suite of services and what makes you the go-to choice for expert car care. You can take out Facebook ads, too, that target a specific audience. If you don’t have time to manage these platforms yourself, consider hiring someone who does. It will be well worth the investment.
There are lots of smart ways to market a franchise, and no matter what industry you’re in, one of the very best ways to do so is to focus on customer service. It’s essential to your success, and, in fact, it may be the single most important contributor to it. Think about it: when was the last time you gave your business to one with bad online reviews or that your friends and neighbors couldn’t recommend? The power of positive word of mouth is immeasurable, and it starts by paying close attention to the customer experience.
The great thing is, paying close attention to customer service costs you nothing! When your customers are happy with the level of service they’re receiving, they share their positive experiences with others, which helps to grow your franchise. It’s an investment in your time, energy, and attention that pays back in a big way!
To find out more about a Big O Tires auto service franchise and how we support our franchisees in marketing their businesses, reach out today!
Datareportal; Facebook Statistics and Trends; August 15, 2022
At the start of every new year, millions of people make resolutions, maybe to exercise more or eat better, or finally clean out that garage! Do you have a goal for 2023? If it’s to enjoy a new career as a business owner in the automotive repair and care industry, we can help you with that! A Big O Tires auto repair franchise opportunity is a great way to be there for your community while enjoying the benefits of a recognized leader in a recession-resistant industry.
But how do you know it might be time for a career change? What industry should you become part of? Keep reading for some pointers.
Just about everyone feels bored or frustrated with work from time to time, so how do you know when it’s time for a career change? Below are some signs you might want to think about a new direction.
Your job should be challenging, not draining. If you go home exhausted, stressed, or irritable, these could be signs you may be ready for a change.
Do you feel like you’re on autopilot, stuck at a dead-end job? Are you using your full skillset, and are your supervisors listening to your suggestions or feedback? If not, it might be time to move on.
Do you live for the weekends and wish they’d never end? People who are unhappy with their work very often dread Mondays because they know it means going back to the same old routine.
If you could give your notice today and embark on something new and exciting with the training and support of industry experts, would you? If the answer is yes, then a Big O auto repair franchise opportunity is something to consider!
Choosing to make a move toward a new career is an important decision, but perhaps more important is deciding on what industry to become part of. There are hundreds of them to choose from, so how do you decide? Some key considerations are whether the industry is resilient and whether or not you can enter it feeling confident about your abilities to succeed. A Big O auto service franchise opportunity is a winner on both fronts!
The automotive repair industry is a thriving one, made more resilient by the fact that drivers are keeping their cars longer, as the cost of new and used cars continues to climb, and are driving them more. In fact:
Today’s driver isn’t just paying attention to the bottom line. They’re also thinking about sustainability and waste reduction, with many car owners concerned about the impact that junked vehicles have on the environment. All this and more make our industry a strong one to become part of.
Especially so when you can partner with a brand like Big O Tires! We’re a recognized leader in the automotive services industry, and when you become part of the Big O Tires brand family to take advantage of our auto repair franchise opportunity, you can look forward to:
The new year can be a time to reflect on things, plan for the future, and make more of your ambition and skills. A career change can be an exciting way to realize your potential, especially when you partner with a brand like Big O Tires!
If you’re ready to start forging your future as a small business owner and want to find out more about Big O tire and auto repair franchise opportunities, reach out today!
The American economy is driven by small businesses, and every year, thousands of people become owners of them(1). It’s a big step, and we applaud that entrepreneurial spirit, especially as many of those new owners will start their businesses from scratch, taking on all the work and creating everything themselves, often for the first time. But there is a better way! The advantages of a franchise business are numerous, with one of the most important being the ongoing corporate support you can expect from a franchisor. Here, we’ll look at a few key differences between independent business ownership and owning an independent business that is also a franchisee with a major franchise brand.
One of the biggest advantages of a franchise is the time-tested business model you’ll have access to that should take much of the trial and error out of running your business. All franchise brands have developed business models that are meant to help franchisees navigate their industries more efficiently and successfully. But it’s important to remember that not all models are created equal. The exceptional ones factor in just about everything you’ll need to know to run the day-to-day operations of your business. It’ll take the guesswork out of things and can help to keep you on course toward success. When you start an automotive repair business from scratch, for instance, you simply won’t have access to this kind of important and useful resource.
Becoming a franchise comes with lots of benefits, and one of the most important is comprehensive training and support. You should be able to count on it to prepare you for the demands of whatever industry you’ve chosen to do business in as you grow your franchise and offer goods and/or services. The better brands make sure you have access to franchise experts to make sure you feel fully prepared. They’ll train you in everything you need to know to operate your franchise smoothly and meet the needs of your community successfully, keeping you on top of best practices and industry trends and advances.
The Big O Tires brand has been a name people have trusted for generations, and we’ve worked hard to establish ourselves as the go-to source for expert automotive services. We’re always working on getting our name out there with regional marketing campaigns that will benefit you directly. Additionally, because our name is such an established one in many parts of the country, your local marketing dollar will go further — it’ll be quicker and easier to reach your best customers. That means you’ll need less time to establish yourself in your market and will have more time to pay attention to what matters — customer service and growth!
Of course, we can’t talk about the benefits of a franchise with Big O without mentioning the suite of services you’ll be able to offer your community, quickly making you its one-stop shop for exceptional automotive care. From routine maintenance to tire sales, fluid changes, brake work, and more, your Big O franchise can quickly be recognized as a trusted resource for all things automotive. Growing revenue streams like these take time, energy, and resources. Big O can get you immediate access to those resources, and our ongoing support will help you to be fully prepared to leverage them for the life of your business.
To find out more about the advantages of a Big O Tires franchise, get in touch today!
1. The Ascent; 2022 Small Business Ownership Statistics; DP Taylor; Aug. 5, 2022
Business ownership is an exciting way to make a living, but it can also be challenging, which is why anyone opening a small business wants to believe they’re doing so in an industry that’s thriving. The good news is the franchise model is better able to withstand economic downturns, thanks to built-in benefits.(1) Taking advantage of a Big O auto repair franchise opportunity lets you become part of a robust and recession-resistant industry. Keep reading to find out more.
Industries that are recession-resistant are typically those that provide essential goods or services and, as such, are not as vulnerable to outside influences, pressures, trends, and so forth. Industries that cater to basic needs like food, water, clothing, and utilities are all good examples. Looked at another way, these industries either provide an absolute necessity the public will always keep needing and buying, or they see demand rise due to whatever challenging conditions the economy may be under.
The services of an auto maintenance franchise like Big O Tires will almost always remain in demand, no matter what’s going on in the economy, because people will always need their cars to get them places. As a Big O franchisee, you’ll be able to offer your community a valuable suite of auto services they can turn to, time and time again. You’ll also be able to count on our regular expert in-house marketing that will put your franchise in front of your best customer. You’ll be the first auto repair franchise your community will think of when it comes time for comprehensive vehicle repair and maintenance.
The Big O Tires franchise brand is an award winner, with a 59-year heritage that has made us a leader in the auto maintenance industry for decades. As one of North America's largest retail tire franchisors, we make sure our franchisees see ongoing support that includes expert in-house marketing, access to established vendor relationships, continuous research and development, and much more. Furthermore, our Big O services are comprehensive and include:
Your Big O Tire franchise will offer customers the complete car care and maintenance services it needs, over and over again, with revenue streams that will keep you ahead of the curve!
To find out more about a Big O Tires recession-resistant franchise opportunity, reach out to one of our team members today!
1. Franchising.com; The Benefits of the Franchise Model; Eddy Goldberg
