Initially passing on a career with an established automotive brand, Jim Field worked in chemical research and development and then manufacturing marketing and sales for three decades. He then decided he no longer wanted to be stuck inside a corporate building all day, so he visited an expo to explore franchise opportunities. It was there that his interest was sparked in SpeeDee Oil Change and Auto Service®, due to its initial investment level, available support and overall franchise business system.
Now, two decades later, Field owns two locations with the brand in Texas, and he received the "Franchisee of the Year" award from the International Franchise Association (IFA) for 2019. Field, however, would not take all the credit for his own success, adding that he could not have done it without his longtime friend and business partner Spring Kuykendall at his side.
According to Field, the key to his success was hiring the right people and training them properly and doing a little extra for his customers. For example, at one of his Texas locations, his crew washes backup cameras, rear-view mirrors and other glass surfaces instead of just doing the front and back windows on a vehicle. The franchisee also keeps extra staff members on the clock than may actually be needed, which keeps the flow of business moving briskly through his shops and prevents customers from having to wait.
To celebrate Field's 20-year milestone with SpeeDee, he recently held an anniversary special. Music, drinks, and food were available to customers while they waited for their auto services to be complete, and there were also discounts on services.
Aside from his daily duties at his locations, Field is also on the National Franchisee Advisory Council, which meets quarterly in a physical location and via teleconference. The council meets with other franchisees in the system to hear their points of view and concerns and help shape best practices.
Always happy to talk about his experience with this leading auto brand, Field offered two pieces of advice for new franchisees. He believes location is one of the most important considerations for growth and success, so it's crucial that a new franchisee's location makes sense. He also noted that franchisees should watch and respond to all social media posts about their location, whether it's good or bad.
With more than three decades as a leader in the auto maintenance and repair sector, SpeeDee still has franchise opportunities available across many US markets. The investment for an opportunity with this franchise business brand ranges from $197,305 to $522,970.
