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franchise.co.nz – PUTTING PEOPLE IN BUSINESS
profit, which is way ahead of projections. And, also on the team,
I must mention my three mechanics. I know a fair bit about cars, but
these guys are in a class of their own. What they don’t know isn’t
worth knowing.
“Honestly, I’m thrilled with how
everything’s going for us as Pit Stop
franchisees. If you’ve got some
mechanical knowledge and the
enthusiasm to be in business for
yourself, to borrow Kerry’s words: ‘Of
course you can do it.’ Contact Stacey
Bree, National Franchise Manager
for the 43 Pit Stop stores nationwide.
There are opportunities across
New Zealand, starting from
around $150,000 + gst.”
ichard Tuthill had for years enjoyed a regular Friday after-work
catch-up at Pit Stop Henderson with great mate and fellow petrol
head Kerry Ball. Never in his wildest dreams did Richard think he would
one day buy Kerry out to become a Pit Stop franchisee and part of New
Zealand’s largest automotive services franchise.
Richard admits this was a major departure from his 30 years working for
a leading engineering manufacturing company, “The press shop staff
under my supervision had dropped from 25 to just half a dozen guys,
so about two years ago I accepted a redundancy offer. Being in my early
50’s, I felt I’d reached the stage of life where I should finally be in charge
of my own destiny.”
Of course you can do it
“First on my to-do list after redundancy was to paint the house. I then
spent a season working for an earthmoving company and when that
work ended, Kerry suggested I buy his Pit Stop business so he could get
his wife into a camper and head for the hills. When I asked, ‘Can I do it?’
Kerry laughed, saying, ‘Of course you can!’
“Kerry reassured me that as a dedicated muscle car and hot rod
enthusiast, and with my engineering experience and people skills, I’d
be an ideal Pit Stop franchisee. He also had lots of good things to say
about the Pit Stop franchise support staff. This was something I would
experience for myself even before becoming a franchisee in August 2024.”
Amazing franchisor support
Richard continues the story, “As part of the due diligence process I
delivered my lawyers a mountain of documentation. Delving into the
fine print, they found there had been no rent review or increase since
2015 and that the building owner was now demanding an astronomical
increase that was not remotely viable.
“When I advised the Pit Stop franchisor team of this major hiccup,
they immediately started negotiating on my behalf with the landlord.
Eventually they convinced the landlord to not only reduce the rent
increase but to also stagger it over three years. I’m hugely grateful for
this as the premises are ideal and, after my Saturday morning painting
and decorating efforts, the place now looks better and better for
customers and staff.
“To keep everything above board, the Pit Stop Henderson sale went
through a business broker, only going ahead after I had the nod from
the franchisor team. Instead of heading straight for the hills with that
campervan, Kerry agreed to stay on until the end of the year. He was a
huge help, and I felt quite anxious about him not being around for the
beginning of 2025. I made a few phone calls to fellow franchisees, and
each reassured me they had my back. With those words and such a high
level of franchisor support, I couldn’t have asked for more.”
Way ahead of projections
“My partner Jodi, who looks after admin and navigates Xero, tells me
we’ve increased turn-over by 30 to 40%. This is reflected in our gross
I bought a
Pit Stop franchise
and I’ve never
looked back
Franchise opportunities nationwide.
Call Stacey 027 406 3744 for a chat.
Visit www.pitstop.co.nz/franchising
Pit Stop franchisee details the journey
to being in charge of his own destiny.
Opportunity: Auto Services
PULLING
OUT THE
STOPS
Richard Tuthill: ‘I’m thrilled
with how everything’s going’
Pit Stop
www.pitstop.co.nz
Contact
Stacey Bree
09 634 3666
027 406 3744
staceyb@pitstop.co.nz
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