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Thursday, October 22, 2015
Related: A Franchisee Who Supports Veterans Beyond the Battlefield Q: Why franchising? When you open a franchise, the business is almost like a marriage, because the corporate team takes care of things that I don't want to or can't. That gives me the time I need to concentrate on providing the best, most efficient service I can for my customers. I think franchising is the best thing out there.
Q: What were you doing before you became a franchise owner? I joined the United States Air Force when I was 17-years-old and served for six years. I was an aerospace ground equipment mechanic and spent time in Germany and North Dakota during my service. I always wanted to work for an airline and moved to Dallas to join Delta Airlines after leaving the Air Force. I was unfortunately laid off after three years. I took a service representative job and also worked for City Garage in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before joining PIRTEK in 1999. Q: Why did you choose this particular franchise? I joined PIRTEK in 1999 after reading an ad in the newspaper. The location was the first franchise in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Having done hydraulic repair in the past, I knew what an inconvenient process it was. I liked the way PIRTEK made it efficient.
Q: How much would you estimate you spent before you were officially open for business? PIRTEK is a completely turn-key business opportunity. The franchise includes a 3,000-4,000-square-foot industrial space as well as two to three office spaces and three on-site service vans. The total turn-key start costs generally average between $400,000 and $450,000, though the average owner's out of pocket cost is usually around $150,000, with the balance offset by financing through things like U.S. Small Business Association loans. The start cost for me is a bit different because of the special circumstance I am in with the corporate team's partnership to financially to launch the Nashville location.
Related: From the Air Force to a Tea Franchise Q: Where did you get most of your advice/do most of your research? Most of my research comes from my experience as a PIRTEK employee for over a decade. It is very important to me that when clients use a PIRTEK in Nashville or New York or California, it will be the same experience and product. I am focused on uniformity.
Q: What were the most unexpected challenges of opening your franchise? Site selection is difficult in a popular market like Nashville. When I toured Nashville I know it was a tight real estate market, but the room for growth is there.
Q: What advice do you have for individuals who want to own their own franchise? Do your homework, love what you do and ask yourself: do you want to run a business or work in a business? Pick a franchise that has a great customer service department.
Q: What's next for you and your business? My goal is to open multiple franchises. I've learned that you can't have enough PIRTEK locations in a city.
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For more information about becoming a Pirtek Franchise owner, including a franchise overview, start-up costs, fees, training and more, please visit our Pirtek Franchise Information page.
300 Gus Hipp Blvd.
Rockledge,
FL
Phone: (321) 701-3330
Fax: (321)504-4433