CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Feb. 5, 2014) — Meineke Canada has purchased 12 CAA Car Care Centres formerly owned and operated by CAA South Central Ontario and will convert them to Meineke Car Care Centre signage and operating practices.
Once the stores are converted, Meineke will have 50 branded stores in Canada, primarily in Ontario.
CAA South Central Ontario is a not-for-profit auto club offering roadside services, automotive care, travel and insurance. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The centers will be operated by three existing franchisees, Meineke said, including former Toronto Maple Leafs hockey great Wendel Clark, who will take over three locations. Mr. Clark, who played in the National Hockey League from 1985 to 2000, opened his first Meineke center last year in Vaughan, Ontario, and earned "Garage of the Year" from Service Station Garage Management in the first year of business.
Mr. Clark, who scored 367 goals and made 266 assists during his 15-year career, primarily with Toronto Maple Leafs, also is a spokesman for Meineke Canada, appearing in video commercials.
Meineke Canada did not say which CAA centers Mr. Clark would take over nor identify the other two franchisees.
The centers being acquired are in Cambridge, Elmira, Georgetown, Guelph, Listowel, Milton, Orangeville, Peterborough, Stratford, Waterloo, Scarborough and two in Kitchner (Fairway and Westmount).
"At Meineke, we are committed to growing our presence through acquisitions of other brands or independents that can accelerate our exposure and growth," said Duane Arbeau, vice president and general manager, Meineke Canada.
"In addition to keen industry insights across Ontario, CAA has an excellent reputation and provides the type of quality customer service we value. We are excited about this addition to the Meineke family and are confident this acquisition will result in a win-win for both customers and our brand alike."
Meineke has been present in Canada since 1981.
CAA South Central Ontario said it exited the automotive repair business in order to focus on the products and services its members value most—namely roadside assistance, travel and insurance. The auto club put the centers up for sale last September.
The auto club said Meineke will honor "all current, active warranties on parts and labor as well as tire storage agreements and valid coupons" and will maintain customers' vehicle repair and maintenance records.
The deal comes four months after Driven Brands Inc., the parent of Meineke Car Care Centers, disclosed plans to double the number of Meineke and Maaco locations in Canada in the coming three years.
