Five minutes with the Autobarn franchise

What were the key motivating factors in deciding to franchise your business?

The Autobarn franchise began as a co-operative founded in Melbourne in 1985. The original group consisted of nine members with 11 retail stores between them, located in Melbourne and several major Victorian regional centres.

The initiative brought together a group of successful specialist retailers of automotive parts and accessories. The objective was to develop a strong corporate image and a level of brand awareness that would combat the growing penetration of competitors from both within and outside the market sector: hardware stores, discount stores and service stations. The strategy was so successful that within five years membership of the Autobarn co-operative had expanded to 28 stores and the co-operative was converted to a franchise company trading under the Autobarn name.

What do you consider to be your unique selling point over your competitors?

There are many features to our franchise model. It provides those individuals who join our network with assurance that we will assist them through the acquisition of their business, then subsequently support them through the growth phases of their business via the guidance of professional support staff and the fostering of a network of individuals who impart knowledge to peers as a result of their own experiences.

As the Autobarn system grows and strives to promote best practice franchising and retailing techniques, it is important to remember that the initial vision of the foundation shareholders to franchise the Autobarn concept stands true today: ”to provide opportunities for small to medium size businesses to compete, be profitable and grow by being part of a strong retail franchise group”.

For those prospective franchisees interested in an automotive franchise, or any other franchise, feel free to read about buying a franchise or running a franchise.