ChipsAway: Make a SMART move to ChipsAway!

As customers get wise to the benefits of the ChipsAway SMART (Small and Medium Area Repair Technology) system, compared to the heavy cost and inconvenience of a body shop repair, franchisees are reaping the benefits of rapidly growing demand from a massive, multi-billion pound marketplace.

Martin Hughes is a typical franchisee (and a business developer) for ChipsAway. A former service manager for a main car dealership, Martin spent 19 years in the motor trade. He recognised the potential of the franchise and then three years ago decided to contact ChipsAway to find out more.

First, Martin attended one of ChipsAway's Open Days; friendly and informal events, which the company holds at their head office. Potential franchisees have an opportunity to see the operation, meet the ChipsAway management team and chat to existing franchisees, who are on hand to offer advice and answer questions. The day includes a demonstration of the ChipsAway SMART system and also gives visitors a chance to try their own hand at a repair.

'I was really impressed by what I saw,' Martin recalls. 'There was no pressure, just a welcoming atmosphere and a transparent approach that reassured me I was dealing with experienced, professional people whom I could trust to support me in building my own business. I could see there was a market for localised repairs and that the ChipsAway technology was a winner.'

Having undertaken training, Martin launched his new business in November 2004, ably supported by a ChipsAway business developer, whose input he says was invaluable.
'I already had a lot of experience in dealing with customers and their cars,' he explains. 'But I was really nervous about my launch. My business developer was excellent. He was really calm and kept me on track all day. Between us, we generated about £10,000 worth of enquiries just over that first weekend - despite the cold weather!'

Delighted with his initial results, but determined not to rest on his laurels, Martin followed up his launch promotion with a series of leaflets, telephone calls and special offers.

'I turned over £4500 in my first month and I've been busy ever since,' he says. 'These days I don't do much in the way of promotion other than taking a joint advertisement in Yellow Pages with my neighbouring franchisees. This is mainly because I'm constantly busy with work generated by word of mouth from happy customers. I'm always booked well ahead, but I do keep slots available for those emergency calls where people are in real distress and need their repairs doing as a matter of urgency!'

Four years down the line, Martin feels that he has complete control of his life and most importantly, is able to spend time with his family.

'We've just spent the weekend in Paris, had our last summer holiday in Greece and have just returned from a winter skiing trip in January,' he says. 'Also, I now have more time for my golf - I finish work at 4pm on a Thursday and head straight for the golf course!'

He describes the support he's had from ChipsAway as 'fantastic'.

'The team at Head Office are always there for you if you have any queries or problems - not that I need much help these days - and the other franchisees in the network are really supportive too. Whenever I'm away there's always a local franchisee who'll keep an eye on things and I return the favour for them.'

Keen to put something back into the network, Martin volunteered to become a business developer as soon as he was able. 'I had to wait until I'd been a franchisee for at least a year,' he explains. 'Naturally, you have to prove yourself to the management team as someone who has built and run a successful business, as well as being able to cope with supporting someone else. I'd done some training and mentoring before in my job as a service manager, and that was probably the only element of being employed that I'd missed. Now I gain great satisfaction from helping others achieve what I have achieved!'  

Investment level: From £22,500
Website: www.chipsaway.co.uk.
Email: uk@chipsaway.co.uk
Phone: 0800 731 6914
Franchise classification: Automotive SMART repair services