'Refreshed' image Meineke opens in Ky.

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (Aug. 17, 2016) — Long-time Meineke Car Care Center franchisee Bryan Brown has opened a store in Elizabethtown that Meineke franchisor Driven Brands Inc. said is the first outlet nationwide to feature a “refreshed” image that will be used on all new outlets going forward.

The new look features “bold, clean” exterior branding with a more open, airy interior designed to enhance customer comfort while their vehicles are being serviced, Meineke said. The format incorporates stand-alone kiosks that allow for private conversations with customers.

“I'm excited to open the first newly branded center,” Mr. Brown said. “Meineke is a world-class retailer and it's important that our center image reflects the quality of service and care that we offer our customers.”

The new center — a converted/renovated DLS Tire Center  that Mr. Brown acquired earlier this year — is the franchisee's second in the Elizabethtown area and 10th overall. The other stores are in the Louisville metropolitan area, including two stores in southern Indiana.

Mr. Brown opened his first Meineke center more than 20 years ago. The Elizabethtown shop features six service bays. The cost of the acquisition/conversion was not disclosed.

A grand opening is scheduled for Aug. 17.

The store, which offers a range of car care and repair services including oil changes, brake service, heating and cooling repair, will honor warranties for previous customers of DLS Tire.

Driven Brands earlier this year disclosed plans to expand its U.S. Meineke store network 50 percent by 2018 to 1,400 locations and double the network's systemwide sales.

Meineke did not say whether it would encourage franchisees to convert existing stores to the new image, nor did it say whether it engaged outside designers to help with the new design.

Mr. Brown has been named Meineke's Franchisee of the Year twice — in 2008 and 2012.