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Shop View: Frank’s Automotive
Friendly Check-In
When customers walk through the door, they immediately see the check-in desk, where the two service advisors sit and greet them with a handshake, owner Andy Daniels says.
The walls and desk are made of corrugated roofing, which is a look that Daniels has always liked. When he bought the building in 2003, he went for it and installed it around the shop.
Distinct Details
Other unique features of the check-in area are an antique gas pump and oil dispenser that were given to the shop by customers; a traffic light that can be turned on and off to entertain kids; and photographs on the walls by a local photographer and customer of the shop.
Walkway to Waiting
The hallway connects the check-in area with the lobby. Daniels wanted to keep the two areas separate, as the check-in area can get noisy with the phone ringing and he wanted his customers to be able to really relax while waiting. Customers are pointed to the lobby with a large sign that says “Welcome” and points to the room at the end of the hall. The walls are covered with the shop’s certifications.
“We have a culture of training,” Daniels says. “We’re always learning and moving forward.”
The hallway transitions the look of the check-in area with the corrugated walls to the lobby with the plant and wood walls.
Kick Back and Relax
Impressed with the way his church was decorated, Daniels reached out to the person who did the decorating to help with his own shop. Together, the two collaborated on the look of the lobby and check-in area.
While waiting for their vehicles, customers can enjoy coffee and tea and truly relax. The lobby was designed to be extremely comfortable; in fact, Daniels says he frequently finds customers asleep in that area.
SHOP STATS: Frank's Automotive Location: Tulare, Calif. Operator: Andy Daniels Average Monthly Car Count: 238 Staff Size: 9 (4 techs, 2 service advisors, shuttle driver, maintenance person, office manager) Shop Size: 5,775 square feet AR0: $413 Annual Revenue: $1.1 million
