GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo.—Grease Monkey International Inc. has acquired the assets and franchise contracts of LubePro's International Inc., a 30-store chain of fast lubrication and automotive maintenance centers located in Illinois, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Grease Monkey said it will convert 16 stores to the Grease Monkey brand, which then will be operated by an affiliate of the company.
The franchise owners at the remaining 14 LubePro's locations are being offered the opportunity to convert to Grease Monkey-branded centers. Grease Monkey said it expects to complete the rebranding of the centers to its brand by mid-November.
“The purchase of the successful LubePro's chain is an exciting opportunity for Grease Monkey International to build the presence of the Grease Monkey brand in the Midwestern part of the United States,” said John B. Adams, Grease Monkey president and CEO.
He said the company's plan is to take its “already strong locations, remodel the facilities, add additional vehicle maintenance services and enhance the customer experience by delivering on the Grease Monkey promise of 'less hassle, more hustle'.”
Ralph Yarusso, Grease Monkey's senior vice president of operations and business development, said adding the LubePro's locations reflects Grease Monkey's growth strategy, which it expects to become more aggressive.