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JIFFY LUBE NAMES FRANCHISEE OF THE YEAR

The Alamitos Group, a Jiffy Lube franchisee, has been recognized by Jiffy Lube International Inc. as “Franchisee of the Year.” According to a press release, this award is bestowed to a franchisee that represents the brand’s core values. “The Alamitos Group has demonstrated a true commitment to developing talent and growing their business,” said Edward Hymes, president of Jiffy Lube International, Inc. in the press release. “From providing comprehensive training around delivering a consistent, outstanding customer experience to helping guide employees’ career development, this franchise is committed to the consumers they serve, their employees and the brand.” The Alamitos Group owns and operates 22 Jiffy Lube service centers including eight in the Greater Little Rock area and 14 in Greater Los Angeles.

The Group has shown local community commitment through organized give back efforts, donated time and effort and a reimbursement plan for employees who spend time supporting community service activities.

“The entire Alamitos Group team is honored to receive the ‘Franchisee of the Year’ award,” said Mike Biddle, chief operating officer of The Alamitos Group in the press release. “As a family-owned and operated franchise, we strive to offer an inclusive, positive and engaging work environment for our employees and are truly dedicated to providing consumers with quality automotive services to help keep their vehicle on the road. Our team is laser focused on our three tenets: Quality-Speed-Service.” The Alamitos Group has been a franchisee of Jiffy Lube since 1995.

COSTA OIL MARKS 100 FRANCHISED LOCATIONS

Costa Oil 10 Minute Oil Change has recently awarded its 100th franchised location. According to a news release, this milestone location is planned for Mesa, Arizona, and comes along with the announcement of two new company-owned shops in the Quad City area of Illinois. There will be one corporate store in Milan, Illinois opening on June 17, and the second opens on July 1 in East Moline, Illinois. Costa Oil 10 Minute Oil Change uses a drive through oil change model, no appointment necessary.

HOT TEMPS IN ARIZONA MAKE MAINTENANCE A MUST

As temperatures rise in states such as Arizona, preventative car maintenance is proving to be crucial. According to KYMA, Arizona’s Governor Doug Ducey recently declared the last week in May as “Heat Awareness Week”, and some of that awareness has led to more drivers visiting shops for preventative vehicle maintenance. Some drivers stopped in to get oil changes before traveling out of town for Memorial Day weekend. Others, it appears, waited a little too long and their vehicles suffered in the heat. “I have a Jeep Wrangler and I was stuck on the side of the road cause it overheated and it started smokin’ and now I’m gonna have to get a new car,” said one such driver named Tinsley Satterfield in the article. The Arizona Department of Transportation sent out a heat awareness safety tips for drivers that recommended getting batteries tested and ensuring that jumper cables are kept on-hand. Russel McCloud, co-owner of Accurate Automotive Attention in Yuma, says that overheating is a common vehicle

issue in the area as well as tire problems caused by hot roads. For shops offering preventative maintenance in high temp states like Arizona, perhaps more customers will be scheduling a visit soon to avoid the headache of a larger repair.

VALVOLINE PURCHASES REMAINING INTEREST IN VCA SOLUTIONS

Valvoline has announced the purchase of an outstanding 50 percent interest from its former partner regarding a VCA Solutions joint venture. According to a press release, the purchase was finalized and effective May 1. VCA Solutions is an automotive batteries and battery testing equipment distributor. Through this acquisition of VCA, Valvoline is able to equip its store locations with what they need to go beyond oil changes by offering more battery care for their customer’s cars. “Batteries play a critical role in vehicle reliability both in vehicles today and in the future,” said Jamal Muashsher, president, Global Products in the press release. “Automotive installers, including VIOC service centers, have a continuous need to service consumers’ vehicles beyond oil changes. The acquisition of VCA Solutions adds to our robust offering of preventive maintenance products and solutions designed to meet our customers’ needs.” VCA Solutions was established in 2019 between Valvoline and Club Assist. Club Assist is a global supplier of automotive lead-acid and AGM batteries. In the past, Valvoline had 50 percent ownership in VCA. Through this new acquisition, Valvoline will now oversee operations.

TAKE 5 FRANCHISEE OPENS NEW LOCATION IN KNOXVILLE

Stella Blue Ventures LLC has announced the grand opening of its newest Take 5 Oil Change as a franchisee. According to a press release, the location is Knoxville, Tennessee. Take 5 Oil Change has over 700 locations nationwide. Stella Blue Ventures has opened eight franchise locations over the last year and a half. This new location marks the eighth Take 5 Oil Change overall in Eastern Tennessee and the second in Knoxville. Stella Blue Ventures operates Take 5 Oil Change locations out of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky.