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Clean Touch Wash & Lube in Mandeville, Louisiana:
What Some Service Station Dealers Are Looking For

Fewer service station owners in the future
A trend toward multiple-station owners has already been growing in momentum for the last five to ten years. Furthermore, the major suppliers are taking steady steps to creating a market in which most independent dealers own no less than ten stations. Partly because of a change in the market (the dealer needs more than one station to make the desired profit) and partially because of a change in the suppliers approach to dealers, there will be few single station owners in the near future.

As the number of stations increases, the number of independent dealers will decrease. There will be a migration from the group of service station owners into other familiar and related businesses. See my article So, You Want to Get Out of the Service Station Business?.

So, what will the surplus dealers do?

A Quick Oil Change with a Difference
I make it a point that when I return from my monthly trip to Atlanta, I get the oil changed in my truck--regardless of the mileage. This time I decided to try out a new place not very far from where I live. It was a good experience, a good value for the cost, and just a nice place to spend time.

The facility is inviting. The building is about 100 feet from the highway. There is adequate parking, even on a busy day. The main structure is divided into three fairly equal parts. There are two bays for the oil change. I appreciate that one of the servicemen drove my truck over the pit.

While they changed the oil, I went to the waiting area. I appreciated the large area allocated for the patrons. There was enough room for a C-store in there! In fact, there was a scaled-down C-store with a fair selection of drinks, snacks, interesting car and truck accessories, and greeting cards. I sat in one of the cushioned chairs and struck up a conversation with a geologist.

When the serviceman came to tell me that my truck was almost done and would be ready after the detail cleaning, I decided to go outside and wait. I sat in one of the outdoor chairs to return some phone calls. The outdoor furniture, well-kept walks, and shrubbery were part of a quick oil change business, but were about as nice as one finds in a good office park or successful mall.

When I got my truck back, I realized that I had gotten a good deal more than just an oil change. I roughly calculated what I think some of my dealer clients might do in a similar business. It looked attractive.

The next time you are in the Mandeville area, check it out. It is on Highway 190 as it passes through "old Mandeville."

Copyright © - 2003 Dutch Hawkins Mandeville, LA USA - All Rights Reserved

February 21, 2003