4 minute read
YOU’VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE
Pit Stop franchisee couple in their early 30s show how it’s done
Deciding that staying on for seventh form would probably lead to the burden of student debt, Peter Chunn’s choice to earn as he learned has indisputably paid off. On day one of the 2024 financial year, the 33-year-old fully qualified automotive mechanic and his high school sweetheart, Jamie, became sole franchisees of Pit Stop Te Awamutu.
By the time Peter started working for Pit Stop, the family-owned franchise established in 1978 was well on its way to becoming New Zealand’s largest chain of automotive service stores, specialising in general vehicle repairs, brakes, suspension, WOF checks, vehicle servicing, tyres and battery sales.
Screaming out for Pit Stop
There are now 43 Pit Stop stores nationwide. National Franchise Manager Stacey Bree says communities such as Rotorua, New Plymouth, Queenstown and Invercargill, along with Auckland suburbs Drury, Kumeu, Mt Roskill and more, are ‘screaming out for Pit Stop’.
Peter and Jamie were only in their late 20s when they became financially involved with Pit Stop Te Awamutu franchisee Gary Beckham.
‘Gary had never provided apprentice training before I suggested I receive this, and he’d never thought of selling a 50% share in his franchise until our proposal,’ says Peter. ‘The timing was spot on; with Gary thinking about retirement but not feeling quite ready. We agreed to buy his remaining 50% share in five years, at the start of the 2024 financial year.’
Only 12 months before paying out Gary, the couple who married at the age of 21 and have two daughters, Keeley, 5, and Ainsley, 7, had moved into a larger, second home. Although Jamie reveals that this put them under financial pressure, it didn’t stop talk of future plans.
Strong brand awareness and reputation
‘I’ve been with Pit Stop half my life and all my working career,’ says Peter. ‘That says a lot about the Pit Shop franchisor team and the high levels of support they give their franchisees, including training on developments like hybrids, PHEVs and EVs. Pit Stop’s strong brand awareness and reputation not only bring us local regulars but customers from Cambridge, Te Kuiti and Otorohanga. Expanding into these towns is definitely on the cards.
‘Our success is built on a strong life and business partnership. And, to do this, it’s about sticking to Pit Stop’s proven systems and processes.’
National Franchise Manager Stacey Bree has no trouble relating to Peter and Jamie’s drive and ambition, having left university at 19 for an opportunity of owning a retail franchise in Ōrewa, Auckland.
‘Over 20 years, I became a multi-store franchisee. Then five years ago, wanting to share my franchisee knowledge, I joined the Pit Stop franchisor team. I worked as the Franchise Support Manager until July last year, when I was appointed National Franchise Manager.
‘Peter and Jamie are our youngest franchisee team and, after his 17 years with us, Peter brings a good level of experience,’ says Stacey. ‘Automotive experience is an important part of a Pit Stop franchise. But it doesn’t have to be the franchisees themselves with that experience, providing they have the right management credentials and a qualified automotive mechanic as a business partner, or to run the workshop.’
Joint venture opportunity
‘Post-Covid, Pit Stop has gone through unprecedented growth, which we intend to maintain. To help ensure this, we are prepared to consider joint ventures. We can assist with initial investment, starting from $150,000 +gst. This includes franchise fee, $25,000 working capital, software, ongoing support and training that covers management systems, HR, health and safety, customer care and more.
‘Through economic recessions, global pandemics and more, over the decades, Pit Stop has demonstrated outstanding resilience. Whatever their motive power, automobiles are here to stay. And so too, is Pit Stop. To steer your future in the right direction, please don’t hold back from contacting me.’
Advertiser Info
Pit Stop
Contact Stacey Bree
09 634 3666
027 406 3744
