How Grease Monkey’s Training Program Sets Franchisees Up for Success

Grease Monkey didn’t become the nation’s largest independent franchisor of automotive and oil change centers overnight. The brand grew from humble beginnings after being founded in 1967 in Denver, Colorado and has since expanded to over 490 locations worldwide. Much of this growth is thanks to the Grease Monkey corporate team’s dedication and investment in its large network of franchisees.

Developing a thorough, accessible and informative training program has been paramount to Grease Monkey’s success, and National Training Director Tom Staker is behind much of the brand’s recent training innovations.

Staker has worked in the automotive industry for some time, starting out as a Big O Tires franchisee in Utah in 1979. He grew his footprint to 14 stores in the area and was eventually asked to join the corporate side for his franchising and automotive expertise. Staker spent 15 years as the Senior Vice President of Operations for Big O Tires in Denver before being promoted to Director of Development for Big O Tires. “Training was always a huge part of my responsibilities in that role,” said Staker. “It’s something I have always really enjoyed doing.

After serving in several other positions, including as a consultant for both Firestone and Goodyear and as President of the Tire Pros, Staker was approached by friend and Grease Monkey President John B. Adams in 2013 about joining the franchise as the National Training Director.

“One of the first things I did was start an online training program, FullSpeed University™,” said Staker. “John had already uploaded and developed 12 or 14 training modules, and I was in charge of augmenting and developing those modules for the online training. It is something that I still do to this day, as we are constantly in development.”

Within the first year, Grease Monkey franchisees, technicians and other employees had completed 1,200 courses. At the end of 2019, the brand now boasts 52,000 completed courses.

The online training program is not only great for preparing franchisees with easily-accessible and informative skill-building programs, but it also includes required training for technician certification. “We have quite a variety of training available on FullSpeed University,” said Staker, who also conducts dozens of in-person instructor-led training courses a year.

“We do monthly manager courses here in the headquarters in Denver, a two-day advance manager course every month, and a full week of new franchisee training school quarterly,” Staker said. “In the last 6 years it’s been quite an undertaking, but the results are undeniable.”

Staker went on to note that Grease Monkey was recently rated No. 3 by J.D. Power in the automotive sector for customer service. He feels that much of this is thanks to the resources and training materials provided by the brand. “The week-long new franchisee training class is slanted towards teaching new franchisees the processes and procedures of how we create the customer experience in our centers,” said Staker. “There’s a heavy emphasis on how we can provide the best service that a customer has ever had.”

Not only that, but franchisees are given a crash course in franchise financials, marketing, HR, OSHA and broader career development skills including leadership and management. “We’re constantly upgrading and updating our courses,” Staker said. “We use state-of-the-art techniques in our videos and quizzes, and they are all accessible with any device and available 24/7.”

Staker noted that younger franchisees coming into the system are particularly receptive to the training programs. “One of the millennial traits that we have to play to is that they want good training,” said Staker. “We give them something to learn with, and they seem to take advantage of it.”

***The investment level for opening a Grease Monkey center ranges from $156,695 to $347,850 with a $35,000 franchise fee and a 5% royalty. Franchisees who meet the established criteria are eligible for a 10% royalty rebate. Grease Monkey offers veterans and first responders a $10,000 discount on the franchise fee and a more substantial royalty rebate for their first two years of business.

Candidates should demonstrate financial capability of a minimum $250,000 net worth and $60,000 to $75,000 in liquid assets, per unit developed.