PULLING OUT THE STOPS

Pit Stop franchisee details the journey to being in charge of his own destiny.

Richard 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 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.”

Advertiser Info

Pit Stop

www.pitstop.co.nz

Contact

Stacey Bree

09 634 3666

027 406 3744

staceyb@pitstop.co.nz