Why a Serial Entrepreneur Chose Grease Monkey® For His Next Expansion

New Owner Tom Tobin Describes What Attracted Him to the Automotive Franchise.

Tom Tobin (above at right) has spent much of his career as a change agent – as an occupational therapist who built a business focused on preventing injuries before they happen, and as the owner of a real estate company that is shifting to an agent-owned structure.

When Tom left the healthcare field and began to consider automotive franchises, he looked for a franchise that stood out from the rest. He found what he was looking for with Grease Monkey® and is a new franchisee in Cibolo, Texas, with plans to open three more locations in the next five years.

What makes Grease Monkey stand out

Tom points to several things that led to his decision to open a Grease Monkey location.

He really liked how helpful the Grease Monkey team was when he was exploring automotive franchises. “I didn’t have to worry about asking the right questions,” he says. “I appreciate the support – the engagement you get from people who have been doing this a long, long time.”

Tom was impressed when he and his family drove to Colorado, where Grease Monkey is based, from Texas to learn more about the franchise.

“We had missed group training by a week, but the Vice President of Franchising spent the entire Friday with us, introduced us to all key points of contact, and then spent most of Saturday with us. We never got the sense that we were disrupting his day. He seemed to be genuinely excited to meet us.”

Tom has praise for the rest of the Grease Monkey team, too. He says, “The marketing team is fantastic, and my Grease Monkey business consultant was with us through construction, having regular meetings to help us get open. He was here unpacking boxes during our Grand Opening. They have been stellar, and it has just confirmed my decision to go with Grease Monkey.”

In addition, as an Army veteran, Tom appreciated Grease Monkey’s veteran program, which includes discounts on startup costs and on the first two years of royalties. “They have an incredible veteran program,” he says. “The way they engage veterans was important to me.”

Finally, Tom liked the automotive franchise’s business model because it’s about educating customers. At each visit, the Grease Monkey Pit Crew services a vehicle and talks to the customer about upcoming maintenance or repairs that may be needed.

“If you follow what they tell you to do, it is going to be hard not to do well,” he says of the business model.

Goals for his Grease Monkey automotive franchise

“I’ll build three locations in the next five years. My goal is to have five to six locations in my territory and then potentially partner with other franchisees,” Tom says. He has a lot of experience, having owned several businesses, and he looks forward to helping other franchisees with less business experience.

He plans to pass the business on to his son Brandon, who is currently an employee.

“Some of my son’s first words were cars and keys. Our guests really appreciate Brandon and how much he cares about their vehicle and keeping them safe. My ultimate goal is to build up the brand and then have him take it over.”

Another goal is to connect with the community and represent his family’s faith well. He is seeking to employ veterans and possibly people who have served time for non-violent offenses and are ready for a second chance.

“We have both at our current location, and it is wonderful to see them thrive. They just need a chance and somebody to care enough to do it. We work really hard on our corporate culture, the way we communicate with each other, and the ways we build character.”

Tom says that only months into the business, the numbers look good. “We are running above goal, and we are just now starting to see the first existing guests coming back, which will help boost revenue by adding returning customers to all of the new ones still discovering our location.”

Learn more

To find out more about Grease Monkey’s business model, click here. To learn more about available territories, click here.