This year we plan to take advantage of cloud computing and the benefits it would afford us with multiple locations. Cloud computing offers a very inexpensive way to store large amounts of data and share resources only accessible by defined users from any location. We plan to sue cloud computer to store everything from basic forms to material safety data sheets and everything in between.  This makes effective management of a multi-site business much simpler.

We are in the infant stages of working with social media, such as Facebook, Twitter and Google+.  We have begun an initiative to ask our customers for a moment of their time to provide a review on Google+ Local. Social media is here to stay, and the interesting part will be how to make it work for us.

Click here for full article.

To launch the campaign, kickoff parties will be held at the Mountain Brook, McCalla, Riverchase, Brook Highland and Chelsea locations on April 6. For that day only, Express Oil Change & Service Center will double its per-ticket donation to $2.

The money raised will fund the hospital’s art therapy program, which helps address not only the medicinal needs of patients, but also their emotional needs by allowing them a positive, creative outlet to express their feelings and experiences.

“We’re proud to give back to the community by supporting Children’s of Alabama,” said Garland Quinn, associate marketing manager at Express Oil Change & Service Center. “It’s an outstanding organization that focuses on finding a cure for devastating childhood diseases and giving much-needed hope to patients and their families.”

Since launching the Change-A-Life campaign six years ago, Express Oil Change & Service Center has raised over $190,000 for the hospital and art therapy program. The campaign previously took place each September, but was moved to April this year.

“April is National Car Care Month, and spring is the ideal time to perform preventative maintenance on cars,” Quinn said. “It affords the ideal opportunity to remedy any cold weather-related damage and make sure cars are in ideal working order before the excessive heat of summer takes its toll.”

Annual vehicle inspections may help drivers avoid costly repairs. Professionals at Express Oil Change recommend an oil change every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first, as one of the most important preventative maintenance services which can be performed on a car.

With 196 stores in 13 states, Express Oil Change & Service Center is the largest independent quick-lube chain in the Southeast. The company expects to open 15 new centers in 2013 and increase those numbers in coming years toward a goal of reaching 250 locations nationwide in five years. Centers offer a 10-minute, full-service, drive-through oil change that includes a 20-point courtesy vehicle inspection and fluid top-offs while the customer waits in his or her vehicle. In addition, a full-service mechanical department offers full-scope maintenance and repair services.

For more information, visit www.expressoil.com. To learn about Children’s of Alabama, visit www.childrensal.org.

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About Express Oil Change and Service Center

Express Oil Change and Service Center is one the leading automotive service providers in the South, with 196 locations across 13 states.  Throughout its 31-year history, its oil change process has been refined to give customers the quickest oil change around, while still providing the highest quality service possible and premium vehicle maintenance checks. Each Express Oil Change and Service Center houses a full-service automotive mechanical department staffed by experienced technicians.  ASE-certified technicians provide total car care through the use of state-of-the-art equipment and premium parts. The company promises quality work, friendliness and integrity in everything it does. 

About Children’s of Alabama

Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children across the state and throughout the southeastern U.S. since 1911. For the past three years, Children’s has been ranked among the best children’s hospital programs in the nation by US News & World Report. Last year, patients made more than 634,000 outpatient and nearly 14,000 inpatient visits to Children’s from every county in Alabama and from 47 other states. With more than 2 million square feet, it is the third largest pediatric medical facility in the U.S. Children’s offers inpatient and outpatient services across its Russell Campus on Birmingham’s historic Southside with additional outpatient surgery and diagnostic imaging services provided at Children’s South and Children’s on 3rd. Primary care is provided at more than a dozen offices in communities across central and north Alabama. The Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children is the only hospital in Alabama dedicated solely to the care and treatment of children and is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet-designated hospital for excellence in nursing care. It is a private, not-for-profit hospital that serves as the primary site of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, research and residency programs.  More information is available at www.childrensal.org.

For full article, click here.

The terms of the deal that married the two home-grown auto service chains were not disclosed. Tire Engineers, a third-generation, family-owned business, has seven locations.

Ricky Brooks, CEO of Express Oil Change, said the combination of an oil change chain and a tire business just made sense.

“The tire category is a great complement to our core oil change and mechanical business,” he said. “We also value the similar company culture of Tire Engineers.”

Fred Johnston, whose family founded Tire Engineers in Birmingham in 1948, said the deal will bring “strong value” to Tire Engineers’ customers.

“We’re excited to be part of the Express Oil Change family,” Johnston, who is Tire Engineers CEO, said in a prepared statement.

Brooks and Joe Watson bought Express Oil Change from founder Jim Lunceford in 1996, when they were franchisees and also worked at the Birmingham financial planning firm Nowlin & Associates.

To finance the 1996 acquisition, the men got the backing of Compass Bank co-founder Harry Brock, and then quickly grew the business.

Click here for full article.

That’s when the two friends, who last flew for JetBlue, decided to buy an Express Oil Change franchise outside Orlando, Fla., to supplement their incomes. “This isn’t just an airline problem; it cuts across the spectrum,” Grassia says.  ”Because the economy hasn’t recovered, many pensions have been severely cut back. Even with Social Security, you can’t live on that. So you have to find something extra or never stop working. What Dave and I did was buy a franchise.”

The flyboys, who opened their location in May, love the challenge so far. And the best part? The franchise still gives them time to fly. Both work as instructor pilots: Grassia at Airbus; Smith at Boeing. We caught up with the duo between takeoffs to ask a few questions.

WHY CHOSE AN OIL-CHANGE FRANCHISE?
Smith: There are several reasons we were attracted to Express Oil. The industry is changing. People are keeping their cars longer than 10 years, but dealerships are closing left and right. Thirteen years ago there were 160 service bays per car in the US. That has diminished. Three years ago it was up to 270 cars per service bay. So there’s less and less availability for quick oil changes. And Express Oil is a very high-tech operation. Being from the airline industry, we have an affinity for tech.

HOW DO YOU GET ALONG WITH YOUR FRANCHISOR?
Grassia: Some companies sell you a franchise and then say, “Hope you make it.” Express Oil wants you to be successful and is there through the whole process of construction and getting your store started. They are right there day to day, with unbelievable amount of support. Their computer system lets you monitor the store from minute to minute, and if they see you slipping in an area, they’ll step in and help you correct the problems.  That’s what impressed me. Plus, they’re an honest company and want a long-term customer base.

HOW IS RUNNING A FRANCHISE LIKE FLYING AN AIRPLANE?
Smith: In the airline industry, we made our living teaching Standard Operation Procedures, or SOPs. One thing that impressed us about Express Oil was its rigid SOPs. It’s a proven method of performance and reduces errors and mistakes.
Grassia: When we interview employees, we’re looking for someone who can follow the SOPs to the letter. The selection process is critical in getting the right person  in there to do that job. We don’t want someone who goes through all that training and, when they’re cut loose, does everything their own way.

WHAT THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FLYING AND FRANCHISING?
Grassia: We’ve always been employees, and now we’re employers. It’s an interesting challenge to deal with the ups and downs of employees are not just order-takers. They are efficient and look professional, speak professionally and get a lot of satisfaction from serving customers well. We get e-mails al the time complimenting certain employees, and this gives them a lot of self-esteem.
Smith: There’s a real satisfaction in knowing we are helping to support our employees’ families and that we’re helping a person be able to raise children.

DO YOU THINK YOU’LL EVER STOP FLYING?
Smith: To be honest, I don’t think I’ll ever retire from the airline business. I have enough flexibility being a part-timer and having our Express Oil that I can take time off if I want. If we could build a second or third store, that would be even better. Flying is in my blood.
Grassia: I’m that way too. I’ll always be involved with flying, even if I go part time. I started as an Air Force pilot. It’s in my blood, and I can’t live without it. 

Click here for full article.

“Our roots are deep here in Alabama, and Children’s of Alabama supports the whole state,” said Josh Henderson, senior vice president of marketing.  ”A large portion of our customer base are families with kids, and nearly everyone has been touched in some way by cancer.  In addition to our partnership with the hospital, all across our chain we have localized giving efforts behind grassroot community causes including schools, charities and other community betterment projects.  While Children’s of Alabama is out largest philanthropic partner, we are actively involved in supporting so many worthwhile causes at a store-by-store level.”

Birmingham Alabama-based Express Oil Change has 194 locations and plans to open 12 to 15 more locations each year.

Click here for full article

This year, Birmingham-headquartered Express Oil Change & Service Center will lend a hand in the annual food drive competition by hosting two bins—one for Alabama and one for Auburn—at each of their 91 locations throughout the state. Contributors will vote for the school they want to win by placing their donations in the appropriate bin. Donations for Alabama’s “Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger” drive will go directly to the West Alabama Food Bank and those placed in the Auburn bin will go directly to the East Alabama Food Bank. The food drive runs from Oct. 8 through Nov. 10. The winner will be announced at the annual Iron Bowl on Nov. 24.

“We are honored to take part in this year’s Alabama-Auburn Food Fight to support the schools and most importantly those in the area suffering from hunger,” says Josh Henderson, senior vice president of marketing at Express Oil Change. “Having opened the very first Express Oil Change & Service Center in Birmingham in 1979 and growing to nearly 100 locations throughout the state, we have deep roots in Alabama and are dedicated to supporting our community any way we can. We are happy to use our stores as drop off points for non-perishable foods to help those in need around us. It will be exciting to see which school’s fan base gives the most!”

Birmingham, Ala.-based Express Oil Change & Service Center is one of the top three largest independently-owned quick-lube chains in the nation with more than 185 stores in 12 states. In the last five years alone, Express Oil Change has opened nearly 30 stores, with 15 additional locations expected to open by the end of 2012 and plans to increase those numbers in coming years toward a goal of reaching 250 locations nationwide in five years. Centers offer a 10-minute, full-service drive-through oil change that includes a 20-point courtesy vehicle inspection and fluid top-offs while the customer waits in his or her vehicle. For more information, visit www.expressoil.com.

http://blog.al.com/press-releases/2012/10/express_oil_change_fights_hung.html

The organization is hosting kick-off parties at the McCalla, Valleydale, Mountain Brook, Alabaster, Trussville (Main Street) and Eastwood locations on Sept. 1. The celebration includes giveaways, tents, food, drinks and more to promote the company’s Change-A-Life campaign.

“Express Oil Change wanted to give back and make a difference in our local community, so we approached Children’s five years ago with this idea,” said Garland Quinn, Associate Marketing Manager at Express Oil. “Since then, we have donated more than $160,000 to fund the art therapy program, as well as cancer research.”

The art therapy program is meant to address not only the medicinal needs of patients, but the emotional ones too.

“The therapy is more than just art to the children,” said Sarah Margaret Wade, associate licensed counselor and art therapist. “It gives our patients a time to have fun, make a mess and is a creative way to ultimately express how they are feeling. Art can give them more control over their environment.”

Fall is an ideal time to perform routine maintenance on cars, as the hot summer conditions take a toll on most vehicles. Excessive heat is one of the main reasons for reduced battery life, according to the Car Care Council. Annual vehicle inspections may help drivers avoid costly repairs such as this. Professionals at Express Oil Change recommend an oil change every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first, as one of the most important preventative maintenance services which can be performed on a car.

Express Oil offers a full service, 10-minute oil change. Customers do not need an appointment and can wait in their vehicles while their cars are being serviced. The maintenance covers replacement of the oil and oil filter, re-filling of fluids and a 20-point safety check of the vehicle.

More information and location addresses are available at http://www.expressoil.com/ and www.childrensal.org, or by contacting Garland Quinn at gquinn@expressoil.com.

About Express Oil Change and Service Center

Express Oil Change and Service Center is one the leading automotive service providers in the South, with more than 180 locations across 12 states.  Throughout its 31-year history, its oil change process has been refined to give customers the quickest oil change around, while still providing the highest quality service possible and premium vehicle maintenance checks. Each Express Oil Change and Service Center houses a full-service automotive mechanical department staffed by experienced technicians.  ASE-certified technicians provide total car care through the use of state-of-the-art equipment and premium parts. The company promises quality work, friendliness and integrity in everything it does.

About Children’s of Alabama

Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children across the state and throughout the southeastern U.S. since 1911. For the past three years, Children’s has been ranked among the best children’s hospital programs in the nation by US News & World Report. Last year, patients made more than 634,000 outpatient and nearly 14,000 inpatient visits to Children’s from every county in Alabama and from 47 other states. With more than 2 million square feet, it is the third largest pediatric medical facility in the U.S. Children’s offers inpatient and outpatient services across its Russell Campus on Birmingham’s historic Southside with additional outpatient surgery and diagnostic imaging services provided at Children’s South and Children’s on 3rd. Primary care is provided at more than a dozen offices in communities across central and north Alabama. The Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children is the only hospital in Alabama dedicated solely to the care and treatment of children and is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet-designated hospital for excellence in nursing care. It is a private, not-for-profit hospital that serves as the primary site of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, research and residency programs.  More information is available at www.childrensal.org.

http://blog.al.com/press-releases/2012/08/change-a-life_campaign.html

The Express Oil Change & Service Center at 604 15th St. E., Tuscaloosa, is scheduled to re-open this morning at 7:30 a.m.

July 17, 2012 // Franchising.com // Dyer, Ind. – The state’s first Express Oil Change & Service Center will open its doors at 1339 Joliet Street in Dyer on Sat., July 21. Munster resident Nancy Johnson will open the new automotive services business, which will service all of Northwest Indiana, with the help of her nephew Andy Deren and his wife Nicole Deren. A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Dyer Chamber of Commerce is slated for Monday, July 23 at 6:30 p.m. Express Oil Change plans to open at least one new location per year in Indiana over the next several years.

After working in the local community at Munster Community Hospital for 31 years with her late husband, Johnson retired in 2011. Looking to start a fresh career path and find a new home, Johnson and her nephew came across Express Oil Change.

After researching the automotive services industry and Express Oil Change, Johnson and Deren realized the potential to develop this concept in Northwest Indiana. The centers offer a 10-minute, full-service, drive-through oil change that includes a 20-point courtesy vehicle inspection and fluid top-offs while the customer waits in his or her vehicle. A full-service mechanical department offers full-scope maintenance and repair services through Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified mechanics.

“I needed a change that would jump start my life,” Johnson said. “Express Oil Change was the perfect fit. There’s a lack of quality automotive service providers in Northwest Indiana, and we thought developing this concept as a woman-owned business would be an ideal fit for the area.”

Adding a sentimental touch to their future business, Johnson and the Derens decided to dedicate their first shop to two fondly remembered individuals: Johnson’s husband Howard Grady, who passed away in 2008, and Andy’s sister Rebecca Deren, a talented architect who passed away in March 2010.

The Dyer Express Oil Change center is not only the chain’s first store in Indiana, but also in the entire Midwest. Johnson plans to open 5 to 7 additional locations within the next 5 to 10 years. In 2012, Express Oil Change plans to add 15 new stores to the company’s 185 existing locations throughout the U.S. Long-term plans for growth call for a total of 250 locations nationwide in the next five years. Outside of Indiana, targeted areas for 2012 include the Carolinas, Texas, Florida, Virginia, New Jersey, Maryland and Ohio, in addition to other strategic areas across the Midwest.

About Express Oil Change & Service Center

Birmingham-based Express Oil Change & Service Center is a recognized leader in the quick-lube and automotive service industry and the largest independent quick-lube chain in the Southeast with both corporate and franchise-owned locations. Express Oil Change has more than 185 locations in 12 states, more than 100 of which are franchise-owned. For more information, visit www.www.expressoil.com or contact Don Larose at 888-945-1771.

http://www.franchising.com/news/20120717_express_oil_change_debuts_in_indiana.html 

“I’m thrilled to sign on as the first franchisee in this market and introduce Express Oil Change to the Orlando area,” said Smith. “When I discovered the franchise, I knew I had found the perfect match especially after visiting the company’s corporate location in Birmingham, Ala. Though the company is known for its 10-minute drive-through oil changes, each location also features a full-service mechanical department — making it a true one-stop shop for clients seeking reliable and professional vehicle care.”

In addition to its full-service department, Smith and Grassia say they were drawn to Express Oil Change because of its overall business plan and ongoing support. Smith serves as an instructor for Boeing in Seattle on the 747-400 and the new 747-8. Grassia, a former Airforce pilot and Vietnam Veteran, also is still involved with aviation and teaches Airbus classes in Miami. Smith and Grassia plan to initially hire six people at their Orlando location and look forward to using their backgrounds in management to lead their new staff. The two say they see great opportunity to service individual cars as well as businesses and organizations with fleets of vehicles.

Having flown extensively in the U.S and around the world, Smith says he’s followed trends both nationally and internationally and has noticed that people in the U.S. are driving their vehicles for longer even more so than in other areas of the world. Already a business owner, Smith began doing research on automotive service franchises and was immediately drawn to Express Oil Change.

“Due to the economy, people are driving their cars for longer and need the proper maintenance and repairs to keep them running,” said Smith. “With our extensive backgrounds in managing and teaching—as well as the Express Oil Change family on our side, I’m confident local customers will embrace this business like we have.”

Overall, Express Oil Change sees potential for significant growth in Orlando and hopes to develop 10 additional stores in the market over the next five to eight years. Jacksonville and Tampa are also on the horizon for growth in Florida.

http://www.aftermarketnews.com/Item/101869/two_retirees_trade_airplanes_for_autos.aspx