About Car Care
*Source – IBIS World Car Wash and Detailing Services Australia
We have found that the introduction of the Car Wash Cafe has helped to grow awareness of the benefits of having your car detailed and established a cost above the normal $10-$15 charged by automatic machines. The Car Care offering stands out in two ways;
1. We go to the customer so they don’t have to wait around
2. They get a trained detailer to work on their car not a uni student
Car Care was started in Perth in 1987 and has since grown to become Australia’s largest mobile car detailer with operations in Sydney, Central Coast NSW, Canberra ACT, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide, Northern Territory, Tasmania and, of course, Perth.
In BRW’s January 2006 focus on Australian franchising Car Care was ranked 33rd in a list of the Fastest Growing Franchises in Australia. In addition Car Care was ranked 13th in the proportion of sales derived outside Australia – ahead of companies such as Jim’s and Boost Juice.
Most people only dream of owning their own business but our franchisees live that dream every day. Our franchise system has helped people from all walks of life and, in many cases with no previous business experience, establish a successful business with a good income and lifestyle without the need for huge investment.
Car Care’s major point of difference in the detailing industry is that all vans are equipped with their own water tank and generator, making it unnecessary for franchisees to locate taps and power points. The saying “we can go anywhere” truly has meaning.
This was the reason Audi chose Car Care as their preferred car detailer when they decided to take some cars and journalists across the Nullarbor with a Car Care franchisee in tow. Now that’s what we call mobile – although most of our detailer’s like to return home at night!
As the name would suggest, we tend to focus on cars, although we have been called upon to detail, boats, light airplanes, huge earth moving and mining equipment, caravans etc., etc.
Whilst our major focus is on Australia we have established a small network in New Zealand and China and may continue to expand overseas with the right partners.
Initial Investment:
The initial investment is $42,000 plus GST (plus your Van, see below) and is due prior to commencing your business.
Initial Investment includes:
- Your Franchise Fee covering the use of the Intellectual Property (IP) for 10 years.
- We will completely fit out and sign write your van. That includes everything you need to operate your business from on-board power, shampoo machine, water tank, etc., to an initial supply of professional car care products.
- Your initial training – our Car Care Trainer will come to you for one week and takes you through everything to do with providing the services and customer handling skills
- In addition to the above your State Franchisor will take you through the business aspects of running your franchise like invoicing, debt collection and our internal work allocation software – OPUS.
- Insurance – includes Public Liability, Vehicle and Equipment cover and also cover for client vehicles upto $100k. We cover this from the Commencement Date to annual renewal date which is 1 August. Thereafter you will be responsible for maintaining insurance as above through either the Car Care approved broker or an alternative broker of your choice.
- Marketing – initial supply of brochures, business cards, your own page on the Car Care web site, a Google + listing and Facebook etc.
Your Van
You need to supply your own van. This can be a new van or a second-hand one (as long as it is neat and fit for the purpose).
There are a number of vans that are suitable for Car Care. We currently have in our fleet: Mercedes Vito, Renault Traffic, Hyundai iLoad, VW Maxi Caddy & Transporter, Toyota Hi Ace. Other vans may be suitable – check with your State Master Franchisor.
The van must be White, Silver or Black (no other colours are acceptable).
You hand over the van to us and we arrange the signwriting, installation of all equipment and cleaning products and hand it back to you all ready to go.
You will use your own van and equipment throughout your training so you are familiar and experienced with all the equipment and products when you start on Day One.
Ongoing Costs:
At Car Care we charge Fixed Fees. We do not charge a percentage of your earnings.
Why fixed fees? We believe that the harder you work, the more you should earn and keep. Percentage based fees usually mean – the harder you work, the more you pay…that doesn’t sound right to us!
At Car Care, we think you should be rewarded for your efforts!
As a national business, our fees do vary across states reflecting the historic CPI increases. Overall though, the weekly fees generally average out to the cost of a Full Detail – which takes, on average, 2 ½ to 3 ½ hours to complete. Anything more than that– you keep!
The weekly fees are made up of:
- Weekly Service Fee
- Marketing Fee – paid directly into a Marketing Fund (this fund is administered by the Master Franchisor for the benefit of the group).
- Uniform Fee – you receive new shirts twice a year (ensuring you are always looking your best!
- Tank Rental Fee – our unique water tank and racking system is provided on a weekly rental basis and remains the property of Car Care.
- Communications Fee – this covers our 24/7 call centre, 1300 & 1800#, work distribution and CRM system – OPUS
> A bank loan
> From a redundancy package
> From savings
> Borrowing from relations
> Other Finance
We can provide you with a draft Business Plan and assistance in putting the information together to take to your bank or other provider.
There has been a trend over the last 10-15 years for companies to produce a Mission Statement to define what they stand for and in our case this is stated as
“A passionate and faithful commitment to team spirit in the provision of high quality yet affordable automotive detailing services by building mutually beneficial partnerships within a team of franchisees predicated on the principles of fairness, openness, integrity and mutual respect.”
Reads really well doesn’t it but the key is to convert the words in to action and we all know that is more difficult.
So how do we do that?
Firstly, as is evidenced by this web site, we are open and upfront about our business. We believe that it is imperative that we go into this partnership knowing what is expected of us. Once you get to a stage where you think Car Care might be the right thing for you we will provide you with a list of present and past franchisees and their contact numbers and we encourage you to talk to as many as you like, one on one, (unlike some groups we don’t just take you to the happy franchisees and stand there while you ask questions).
When it comes to running your business we work on the very simple philosophy which is to treat people the way you would like to be treated. This not only applies to our clients but also how we talk to each other.
“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me” – Henry Ford
Any business is only as good as its people. When it’s a franchised business this is even more important as we are partners.
Your Car Care Franchise is supported by a team of experienced business people that are based in your state. You will receive support from people who not only understand the business but also your local conditions.
When combined, our State Master Franchisors have about 200 years’ experience and come from a variety of backgrounds.
Car Care Australia – Mike Stringer
Mike spent twelve years in Sales & Marketing with Canon in the UK. As Marketing General Manager he oversaw a business with an annual turnover of over $1 Billion. He was also charged with the responsibility of taking Canon from a stand alone copier supplier to the world we know today where most printing is done from a third party device.
Mike left in 1994 to set up one of the UK’s first Web Agencies. Over the next three years he worked with many blue chip companies including Shell, BBC and Apple in developing their web strategy. The business was quickly expanded to include a digital graphics company – Print 2 Go – and a telephone technical support business that handled all the support for Apple Europe.
Mike returned to Australia with his family in 2004, purchasing Housework Heroes. The Car Care business was purchased in April 2005 with a view to expanding the brand throughout Australia. The purchase of United Home Services in 2010 will enable future technical developments that will help strengthen all the companies.
In summary, Mike has extensive experience in building companies and developing brands in a rapidly changing, highly competitive market.
Mike was WA State President and board member of the Franchise Council of Australia from 2008-2014 and in 2011 was awarded an – Outstanding Contribution to Franchising Award at the National Franchising Convention. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Paddy Thompson award recognising those that have made a significant contribution to franchising in WA.
Car Care WA – Mark Lyons
Mark joined Car Care in 2003 as the franchise owner for Kalamunda, after many years managing a service support team in the air conditioning sector. He quickly established a reputation for excellent customer service in an area that was previously almost untouched.
In 2005 Mark represented Car Care in the FCA state finals and was awarded the WA Franchisee of the Year Award in the Franchise Council of Australia’s BEST OF THE BEST Award.
Since this date Mark has purchased the state rights for WA and now operates as the Master Franchisee – he still keeps his hand in as franchisee for Lesmurdie.
Mark carries out all training for new franchise owners in WA and his knowledge and experience as a detailer is of great benefit to the group in establishing tools that assist the business at all levels.
Car Care SA – Maria Roberts
Maria Roberts purchased the Car Care business in September 1998, eighteen months after it commenced trading. She has since built the business up to its current level of 10 franchisees by developing a strong support structure for all franchisees, whilst recognising their individual responsibilities in growing their own business.
She has an excellent insight into the market and brings her many years of service related experience in helping to deal with customers. Hers is a very hands on approach which provides franchisees with a high degree of confidence in promoting the Car Care brand throughout SA.
Car Care NSW – Craig Peters
Craig Peters has held senior positions in large hospitality groups for over 15 years and was a hotelier for 7 years of that time.
Craig then entered the franchise industry as a franchisee in 2001 and has owned and operated numerous franchise businesses at a franchisee and regional master franchisee level. On successfully selling his last franchise business Craig developed the franchise model for a national commercial cleaning company. Craig was responsible for the development and growth of the company from 2006 to 2009.
Craig’s experience in building successful customer driven businesses is a key factor to his success. His detailed knowledge of franchising and sales and marketing strategies are used in helping franchisees develop their franchise areas and also maintain the growth of the Car Care brand throughout New South Wales. It is also of great benefit to the group at large as he is able bring the best practises from the various systems he has been involved in.
Car Care Queensland -Clive & Robyn Woodroffe
Clive and Robyn moved from Sydney to Brisbane in 1998 to commence Car Care operations in Queensland.
Robyn’s work history was predominately in sales. Recently it has been in franchising and running her own importing & supply business. Following a successful career in office equipment sales & management, she had stints in personnel recruitment & real estate. For the past 12 years Robyn has been involved with Car Care, and more recently has her own small business as well.
Clive has been in franchising since 1990. Following 8 years in management in Sydney for two franchise companies – 7-Eleven and Mail Boxes Etc. he purchased the Queensland Car Care Master Franchise in 1998 and operated the first van in Queensland whilst setting up the franchise network. Prior to his venture into franchising, Clive was employed in supermarket management in Australia & overseas, and had a number of years successfully running his own small business.
Clive is also the national trainer for all new Car Care Franchise Owners in all states excluding WA.
Car Care Victoria – Ron Bongetti, Bernard Carroll and Gerard Murphy
Ron Bongetti is the Victorian General Manager and main contact in terms of operations. Ron has 25 years’ experience in the Sports and Recreation Industry, winning the Victorian Sports Administrator of the Year Award in 1995. He acted as an ambassador for Melbourne’s 2006 Commonwealth Games bid and also created the E.J. Whitten Foundation staging the first AFL E.J.Whitten Legend’s Match.
Ron is currently a Board Member at VicSport, Victoria’s Peak Body in Sports Advocacy
Bernie Carroll has a wealth of experience in operating national leisure companies and holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA). Bernard was also a Franchise Owner within the Finn Franchise Business Broker network before recently starting his own broking business. Bernie is largely involved in the development of the group.
Gerard Murphy is best known as one of Australia’s longest serving independent leisure facility contract managers and a Councillor on the Baw Baw Shire Council. He also operates a number of other small businesses. Gerard has responsibility for the administrationof the Car Care business – invoicing, call management etc.
The collective knowledge of these three gentlemen is of great benefit to the local franchisees and the group as a whole, as it brings a fresh approach through their continued involvement in the broader business world.
Car Care Tasmania -David Beattie
The Master Franchisor for Tasmania, David Beattie, purchased the rights for Car Care Tasmania in 2004 and currently operates a Car Care fixed detailing site at 225 Liverpool St., in Hobart’s CBD. David had 27 years administrative experience with Telstra, the last 8 years in managerial positions.
David commenced his own business (Amaranth Enterprises Pty Ltd) in 1993 and undertook some major property developments in and around Hobart including the $2.5 million conversion of the heritage building at 3 Brooke St on Hobart’s waterfront (now known as Quest Waterfront) from office accommodation to 2 exclusive penthouses and 34 executive apartments. In Nov 2002 David purchased the Tint-a-Car Hobart franchise and has continued to operate the business ever since. He is also the High Performance (window) Films’ representative for Southern Tasmania.
David’s experience with Telstra, as a property developer and as a franchisee means that he is able to inform and advise potential Car Care franchisees about franchising generally and is able to offer invaluable counsel and assistance in establishing and operating their franchised businesses.
If however, you are much closer to deciding and you are interested in what you have seen here then we would suggest you either complete the on-line Enquiry Form and we will contact you or call us on 1300 car care – that’s 1300 227 227 and we can arrange an informal catch up.