Service Street founder Greg Sands is moving forward with his plan to open up new facilities all across the country. And according to this 18-year industry veteran, there is no better time to take on such a venture.
Sands created a business model for auto repair facilities that incorporates customer-focused service with certified, skilled technicians, in an effort to form a new brand of independent automotive centers.
"People want a 'one stop shop' that they can rely on," says Sands. "With thousands of dealerships closing, there is an even greater need for a full-service station that can offer both the necessary expertise and personal care people are looking for."
Service Street offers a comprehensive range of auto repair and maintenance services, all of which are performed by ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technicians. With this certification, Service Street can work with every single vehicle on the road today with skill and specialization matching any dealership.
To guarantee quality work, Service Street has created a system of checks and balances to put customers at ease.
Its "Picture & Picture" program requires technicians to take before and after photos of each repair, which are then emailed to the customer and kept on file at the store. Repairs and exchanges are also video taped and available for viewing.
This commitment to the finest customer experience is apparent throughout the store, even down to the visual appearance of the building. Service Street emphasizes the importance of a clean, quiet, and orderly facility, which cuts down on clutter and is more environmentally responsible. The brand and design of the store is reminiscent of the 1950s era when the car was king and businesses were customer-centric.
Open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Service Street can complete most repairs within a day and will pick up or drop off a customer, or their car, to minimize inconvenience, the business reports.
So how successful is this new model? The first Service Street automotive repair center opened in Parker, Colo., just five months ago and is such a big hit with customers that it is already doing more than double the national average in sales of mature auto repair stores, becoming Sands's most successful new store in his 18-year history. Service Street will also expand its reach with another store opening in Snellville, Ga., this fall.
Sands says he plans to open at least three additional stores in Colorado during 2009-2010. His long-term plans include roughly 20 stores in and around the Denver area and six to eight stores in other major Colorado cities. Multiple stores will also open in Service Street's other main market, Atlanta, in 2009-2010, with intentions of growing into new markets thereafter.
