Farragut Press: Christian Brothers Automotive almost 1 year old

U.S. Army veteran Cory Beilharz and his wife Jen are preparing to celebrate the first anniversary of the opening of their Knoxville-area Christian Brothers Automotive franchise while the brand eyes additional expansion plans in Eastern Tennessee.

The franchise has seen rapid growth since the doors to the area’s first Christian Brothers Automotive location opened last August.“Things are going well,” Cory Beilharz told The Farragut Press. “Everyone who comes in loves it.”

Beilharz, a Knoxville native, said he wanted his business to revolve around something he enjoyed. He has been fascinated with cars since his youth and his degree in mechanical engineering and his experience as a U.S.

Army tank unit commander, competitive motorcycle auto racer, safety inspector for CSX Railroad and Federal Railroad Administration and former owner of an ATV business prepared him for his newest role as a franchisee. He sold the ATV business to join Christian Brothers Automotive after seeing an article in USAA that continually ranked Christian Brothers as one of the nation’s best-performing franchises. Beilharz bought into the franchise in 2012, thrilled to find a business that would allow him to spend more time with Jen and the couple’s three children.

Christian Brothers Automotive Vice President of Franchise and Strategic Development Josh Wall said the Beilharzes were a perfect match.“I had the pleasure of getting to know Cory and Jen and walk them through the evaluation interview process,” Wall told The Farragut Press. “As we interviewed, it was very clear early on that they were a family rooted in integrity.