Driven Brands, Inc. – the parent company to six franchised automotive brands including Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc., Maaco Franchising, Inc. and Econo Lube N’ Tune – will open its first all-in-one auto care center called Car Pros Plaza on May 15 in Summerville, S.C. It will contain a Meineke, Maaco and Econo Lube N’ Tune.
The business owner behind the project is John Mulherin. Mulherin and his wife, Lynn, moved to South Carolina last year after he retired from his position as CEO of the Ziegler Company, a boutique investment bank in Chicago. Mulherin also owned a gourmet coffee shop 20 years ago and raised livestock on his farm in Wisconsin.
“I spent my career as a corporate executive in the financial services industry, but I have always had a fascination for small business and for cars,” Mulherin said. “This isn’t my first experience with small business, but it is my first chance to combine it with my love for cars.”
After coming out of retirement to open Car Pros Plaza, Mulherin has no plans to slow down. Mulherin expects to open two additional all-in-one auto care locations in South Carolina over the next five years.
“I think the key to aging successfully is staying engaged in things you’re passionate about. For me, that’s small business and cars,” Mulherin said. “My feeling is that the standard for the consumer experience in the auto industry is low, and I’m taking this opportunity to build a better solution. Car Pros Plaza will be a one-stop shop for all automotive needs with three top brands that are well-known across the country.”
Meineke Car Care Center is a full-service automotive maintenance and repair franchise specializing in brakes, maintenance services and general repair. Maaco specializes in “cosmollision” repairs including auto body repair and auto painting. Econo Lube N’ Tune offers oil changes and other auto maintenance services.
“We’re very excited to have John pioneer what we think could become a very successful franchise model for Driven Brands,” said Dave Schaefers, senior vice president of franchise development for Driven Brands. “I think consumers are going to love the idea. They already appreciate our individual brands for their quality of service; now they’ll appreciate the convenience of having three companies they trust in one location under one owner.”
