| Quick, convenient and low cost. This is what | | | | down to the pit so mechanics need only open the |
| consumers want wherever they go. Have you | | | | area they are working on. When the automotive |
| noticed how many fast lube shops are available | | | | service is completed, the covers slide back into place, |
| everywhere one goes? Some have oil changes with | | | | closing the pit. |
| a carwash, a coffee house or even a diner. Location | | | | Floor type is another safety issue, and should be |
| is key to any business, especially an oil change | | | | included in the planning of any oil change franchise. A |
| franchise. | | | | floor should have rough resistance and have an |
| Thinking about opening an oil change franchise? Start | | | | abrasiveness texture to it. Keeping an organized and |
| searching online or speak with a realtor. Location is | | | | clean shop is also just as important. Small spills should |
| the number one priority for a fast lube business. A | | | | be mopped immediately, while a thorough cleaning of |
| shop should have easy access both in and out, be | | | | the shop should be done every day after business |
| noticeable with easy to see services and prices. | | | | hours. |
| Another consideration is urban development. Will the | | | | Convenience and efficiency work hand in hand for |
| oil change franchise receive adequate business? Will | | | | the most successful oil change franchises. The flow |
| traffic be a problem? Is there a street hindrance such | | | | of traffic in and out of the shop should be an |
| as a median or no U-turn nearby which prevents | | | | owner's next consideration. The design of the shop |
| future customers from entering your business or | | | | should be convenient for the customer as well as the |
| exiting into traffic patterns? | | | | city traffic. The most efficient and convenient set up |
| Once a site is established, the shop design is next. | | | | is the "one way in, one way out" design. Cars pull into |
| There are two ways to design, depending on the | | | | the entrance of the bay and drive out the other side. |
| city's building codes and land development: basement | | | | After the structure of the oil change franchise is |
| or use mechanical lifts to access cars for servicing. | | | | finalized, the next consideration is organization of |
| Some owners say a full basement is better because | | | | supplies. Air and oil filters, oil bins and transmission |
| lifts slow services, and customers may choose | | | | fluids, rags and cleaning supplies can all be stored so it |
| another fast lube instead. | | | | maximizes time on task. Utilizing a basement for all |
| If a basement is used, the designer must decide how | | | | supplies is most efficient. Shelving installed near the |
| many bays the shop will include. Shop owners must | | | | mechanics work area will maximize time spent |
| research the building size before offering ideas to the | | | | gathering oil and supplies to service the vehicles. Label |
| building designer. More efficient oil change franchises | | | | all shelves with the specific air and oil filter types. This |
| have multiple bays to service more than one car at a | | | | will not only save time for mechanics, but also for |
| time, offering the ability to service more customers | | | | restocking items and taking inventory. |
| and offer more services. Full basements with | | | | Store bulk oil in overhead tanks to pump oil out using |
| catwalks also serve as storage for supplies, bulk oil, | | | | gravity; it helps to use all the oil in the tank. Buried |
| cleaning supplies and a break room. | | | | tanks tend to waste more oil and need to be filled |
| However, to minimize safety hazards, precautions | | | | more often. Tanks that are above ground should |
| must be installed. Since a basement has open pits, | | | | have a secondary containment area around it as well. |
| install easy-slide pit covers so customers and | | | | Although there are many ways to design oil change |
| employees do not accidentally fall through. The sliding | | | | franchises, efficiency and convenience should be at |
| covers are four feet long and slide over each other | | | | the top of the list. |