Valvoline Instant Oil Change recognizes top Franchisees

Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC), one of the nation's largest providers of automotive fluid maintenance services, has named franchisee Alan Korpi of MinnTex Investment Company in Bemidji, Minn., Operator of the Year. VIOC honored Korpi and other top-performing franchisees from 2000 recently at its annual franchisee workshop and awards ceremony in Virginia Beach, Va.

VIOC's Operator of the Year is the franchisee who achieves the most significant operational results and best demonstrates support and use of the VIOC system in terms of service center maintenance, customer service and adherence to established procedures. Korpi, who also operates three other automotive service centers, including a Tuffy Auto Center, an independent full-service carwash, and a vehicle accessory store, joined VIOC in July 1994 and has since opened six additional centers in Minnesota. He previously served as president of VIOC's Franchise advisory council. Both his enthusiasm and the superior performance of his businesses over the past year have made him an exemplary franchisee, says VIOC President John Wesley.

"Alan has consistently operated his locations with strong results and is a firm believer in the VIOC system, willfully implementing it and continually seeking out ways to maximize the strength of our brand. He epitomizes the type of franchisee that will fuel VIOC's growth in the 21st century."

Additional Honorees Named

VIOC also presented its "Rookie of the Year" award to Paul Naas of Chesapeake Lubrication, Inc. in Galesville, Md. This award is based on the performance of the franchisees who have operated at least one service center for between six and 18 months. Chesapeake Lubrication opened its first VIOC service center in Waldorf, Md., in June 1999, has a second location under construction in Edgewater, Md., and has a license to open one more location.

In addition, VIOC presented its award for "Outstanding Achievement" to partners Tom Chambasian, Gary Girard, Dennis Poranski, Paul Swanson and John Theisen of Great Lakes Lube, LLC., of Mukwonago, Wisc. This honor is given to the franchisee who demonstrates the greatest effort in growing the VIOC brand, mainly through aggressive expansion. Great Lakes Lube, formerly the largest independently owned quick lube chain in Wisconsin, joined the VIOC system in 2000 by acquiring 21 VIOC company-owned properties and rebranding its five existing locations as VIOC service centers. Since then, the company has opened two new centers for a total of 28 locations throughout Wisconsin, making it VIOC's second largest franchisee. The company has licenses to open two additional locations.

Chris Malone of High Desert Oil, Inc. in Albuquerque, N.M. received VIOC's "Spirit of Franchising" award, which recognizes the franchisee who best exhibits the following four criteria:

• participation in and support of all VIOC programs and systems;
• willingness to interact and share information with prospective and existing franchisees;
• adherence to VIOC's proprietary SuperPro® program for service center management and Maximum Vehicle Performance (MVP®) process for vehicle maintenance; and
• internal and external presentation of service centers and personnel to the customer.

Malone has been with VIOC longer than any other franchisee, having joined the system in December 1988 only months after VIOC launched its franchise program. He opened his first VIOC service center in November 1989 and has since opened four additional locations in Albuquerque. He has a license to open two additional centers.

"Chris is a firm believer in the VIOC system, continually supporting its use in his operations and working to perfect it both for himself and his fellow franchisees. He is committed to expanding the system by developing multiple locations and he has a great rapport with his customers. These are the ideal attributes for a successful franchisee," says Wesley.

In addition to these annual honors, two new awards were presented to VIOC franchisees this year. VIOC named 17 franchise centers to the High Performance Club, which recognizes centers averaging at least 40 oil changes per day and average ticket prices of at least $40.00, and five to the Presidents' Club, which includes service centers with at least $1 MM in annual revenues. Franchisees honored in these categories include:

High Performance Club

• High Desert Oil, Inc., Albuquerque, N.M.
• T.J.R.-V Corp., Lawrenceville, Ga.
• R.F.G. Oil, Inc., San Diego, Calif.
• Hill Country Oil, Inc., San Antonio, Tx.
• Lube Marts, Inc., State College, Pa.
• Buffalo Lube Associates, L.P., Buffalo, N.Y.
• Oklahoma Lube Associates, L.P., Oklahoma City, Ok.
• Georgia Lube, Inc., Kennesaw, Ga.
• Quality Automotive Services, Inc., Charlotte, N.C.
• Oilmen Enterprises, LLC, Loveland, Col.
• Rowlett Oil Services Co., Rowlett, Tx.
• Great Lakes Lube, LLC, Mukwonago, Wisc.

President's Club

• Galena Associates, L.L.C, Bristol, Conn.
• Henley Enterprises, Inc., Wellesley, Mass.
• Mid-Atlantic Lube, L.L.C., Wellesley, Mass.

"The strong performance of these service centers is a testimony both to the value of aligning with a strong brand and following our proven operating system, and to the continuing trend toward do-it-for-me automotive service," says Wesley. "We're proud to have so many operators produce such strong results and look forward to additional franchisees in the future."

With nearly 700 locations nationwide, Lexington, Ky.-based VIOC is one of the nation's largest providers of "do-it-for-me" automotive fluid maintenance services. Each service center offers a complete selection of oil changes, preventive maintenance checks, free fluid top-offs and other services and products, presented in an environment with the highest emphasis on customer service.