From the moment drivers climb into their car until they exit, an array of sensors logs information about how the vehicle is performing. From detecting a check engine light to diagnosing problems, these systems keep tabs on everything from oil pressure to battery and tire pressure. If you’re looking to own and operate your own auto repair franchise, you know that location is everything.
After all, without the right location, you won’t get enough customers coming in for service or repairs. The kind of location you choose also has a lot to do with whether people will trust your business as an honest and reliable source for auto repairs. To help you make sense of it all, here are some factors that influence where the best locations for automotive repair franchises reside.
Contents
How to Find the Right Location for Your Franchise
When finding franchising opportunities for your dream auto repair shop, one of the important aspects that you need to consider is location. As you start looking for a location, you should likewise identify the type of customer you want to serve. You should also consider who is currently servicing those customers and what they’re doing right or wrong. If you already have a target location in mind, you can also consider how easy it is to get there.
After all, you want your customers to be able to find you easily. Ideally, you want to be close to a majority of customers. This way, you’re convenient for everyone. A customer-focused approach to finding a location is the best way to go. So, you can start by taking a look at the customer journey and asking yourself where potential customers are at every step of the way. From where they are now to where they want to be, you can identify the ideal location for your repair shop along the way.
The Importance of Being in the Right Place
Be it an automotive repair franchise or a business hyphenated to it like a tire franchise, for example, it’s not just important to be in the right place; it’s also important that your business is in the right place for your particular type of business. If you open your shop in the wrong part of town, you may be serving people who can’t afford your services. A low-income neighborhood might not be able to sustain a repair shop that offers the most expensive repairs. Alternatively, you may want to avoid neighborhoods that have a reputation for being less than friendly towards certain ethnicities or genders. To be safe, you may want to avoid areas that are known for crime or poor city planning.
Where You Should Be Based on Type of Automotive Repair
Some automotive repairs are easier and cheaper than others. For example, oil changes and tire rotations are low-cost services that can be done in a very short amount of time. Other repairs are more expensive and take longer to complete. Automotive repair franchises that offer quick and easy services are best suited for areas with a high amount of traffic, like a commercial district.
Repair shops that specialize in high-cost repairs like engine replacements are best for residential neighborhoods where customers can leave their vehicles for a few weeks at a time. Residential areas also have a lower amount of traffic, so you don’t have to worry about your shop being too busy.
Brand and Type of Vehicle
You should also consider what type of vehicle your customers drive and what brand they prefer. If you’re a Ford repair franchise, you may want to set up shop in an area full of Ford owners. If you’re a Toyota repair franchise, you may want to set up shop in a neighborhood full of Toyota owners. Brand loyalty can be a big factor for potential customers.
If a neighborhood is full of customers who prefer a certain brand, they may be more likely to trust the repair shop that offers that brand of service. This type of information may be harder to find, but you can start by looking at the analytics of your customers. Find out what brand of vehicle they drive, where they come from, and where they live. This way, you can narrow down what type of neighborhood you want to open in.
Commuter Behavior
If you’re a city-based franchise, you may want to set up shop near a busy commuter route. If you’re an off-ramp repair franchise, you may want to set up a shop near an intersection with a high volume of traffic. This is because commuters are more likely to have car trouble on their way to and from work.
You can also open your shop on the weekend to take advantage of people who don’t have time during the week to get their vehicles repaired. While people are at work during the day, you may also want to consider setting up a shop near a university. After all, students often have cars that break down on the way to and from campus. You can also take advantage of the students’ budget by offering lower-cost repairs.
Environment
You should also consider the specific environment you want to set up in. If you’re a fleet repair franchise, you may want to set up a shop near a port or airport. This way, you can take advantage of the fleet vehicles that come through the area and need repairs. If you want to set up shop near a river, you may want to avoid lower-lying areas.
After all, rivers often experience flooding, which can cause sewage and other contaminants to rise up and seep into the ground. This can pose a serious health hazard, especially in an auto repair shop. Drivers and passengers often sit in the back seat of a vehicle and are more exposed to whatever is inside the car. This air can be polluted, which can lead to serious health problems.
Recommended for you:
How to get Hero Moto Corp franchise dealership in India
Final Thoughts
There are many factors that go into finding the right location for your repair shop. From the type of repairs you offer to the brand of vehicle you serve, you can narrow down your options by choosing a neighborhood that offers the right customers. After all, customers are the lifeblood of any business. The most important thing is that you find a location that is profitable for your particular franchise. This means it is easy to get to, has the right amount of foot traffic, and gives you enough room to expand in the future. With the right location, you can ensure your automotive repair franchise is successful.
