According to the Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey Report, technician was the most commonly reported prior position, cited by 47% of respondents. Manager (35%) and service advisor (31%) followed, reflecting the variety of technical, leadership and customer-facing experience shop owners bring to their current roles.

Most notably, no single prior role accounts for a majority of respondents, suggesting there is no dominant career path into shop ownership.

PRIOR INDUSTRY POSITIONS