ANTHEM, Ariz. — Automotive service franchisor FullSpeed Automotive has opened its first corporate-owned Grease Monkey quick-lube location in Arizona, in Anthem, a planned community of nearly 25,000 residents north of Phoenix.
The three-bay Anthem location, which opened Aug. 1, is the fifth company-owned Grease Monkey location, joining two each in Illinois and Minnesota. The number of Grease Monkey-branded stores in operation is nearly 500, which is halfway to Fullspeed's target of 1,000 stores by year-end 2023.
The new Grease Monkey location previously was a Pit Stop Lube & Oil outlet.
There are seven other Grease Monkey locations in Arizona operated by franchisees, including stores in Peoria, Phoenix, Prescott and Tucson. The company said it is aiming to add five Grease Monkey and/or SpeeDee locations in the state over the next two years through qualified franchise partners and strategic acquisitions.
FullSpeed CEO Rob Lynch said the company has "been on a phenomenal growth curve, and with only a select number of facilities operating in Arizona, now is the opportune time to invest and continue to build out our brands in high-profile market."
Lynch said this corporate opening "will further promote the need for quick-lube services" in Arizona, where FullSpeed is "eager to accelerate our development efforts. ..."
FullSpeed recently acquired Kwik Industries Inc., including ownership of the Kwik Kar brand, and purchased from local independent operators 25 Kwik Kar-branded centers.
In addition, FullSpeed said it soon will unveil its "Store of the Future" that will use new technology, a premium customer-experience and "create an environment the industry has not yet seen before."
FullSpeed said it is seeking individuals interested in multi-unit and conversion opportunities. For more information, see fullspeedautomotive.com.