FRYE’S AUTO REPAIR TRANSITIONING TO CAPABLE HANDS

By MORGAN CHILSON

In 1974, Frye’s Auto Repair launched as a part-time business in a residential two-stall garage. Leroy and Dotty Frye and their son, Tony Frye, slowly built their customer base by working four nights a week while employed at other full-time jobs during the day.

After nine years, the Frye family officially opened as a full-time auto repair shop. They continued to operate in the original garage until they built a new one at 1320 SW Auburn Road in 2004. For the past 19 years it has been run by Tony and his wife, Tina Frye.

“I never carried business cards. I like to say our customers carried our business cards,” Tony said, emphasizing the importance of word-of-mouth marketing in his industry. “Being an independent shop, you interview for a job every day. Even keeping old customers, you’re still applying for a job.”

Business Transition

It was a true family enterprise that provided very well for their family said Tina. But when the couple turned 60 about 5 years ago, it was time to think about retirement plans. That meant considering how they would transition to a new owner. Luckily, it wasn’t a tough decision for the Frye’s as they had a trusted and beloved employee who feels just like a family member.

The new owner, Joseph Tanner—known as Joe around the shop—went to work at Frye’s Auto Repair 11 years ago after completing the Washburn Institute of Technology automotive program.

“I started as a technician and did all the lube changes and cleaned up. I learned from the ground up,” Joe said. “Tony and Tina Frye taught me a lot as well as the techs who helped coach me, teach me and show me how the shop operates.”

Workforce Development

Joe credits his education at Washburn Tech for providing him with a strong foundation to build on. Tony also served on the advisory board at the school for 18 years where he offered insight on the automotive industry as an independent business owner. Both credit the school with supporting the business and their growth.

Darrin Dillingham, automotive instructor at Washburn Tech, knows both men.

“Most of our advisory board members are dealerships but we have a few independents too. Tony is one of the independents that’s always been involved,” Dilligham said. “I’m always interested in getting input from successful independent shops, because the goal for a lot of students is to go out and get 10 or 15 years of experience and then own their own shop.”

That’s pretty much what happened with Joe, who was a student of Dillingham’s.

“Joe was a very serious and nice student,” he said. “He came to Tech with a thirst for knowledge and a personality that showed you he was going to do well.”

Although he followed that path Dillingham said many students desire, it wasn’t really Joe’s original plan.

“I thought I was going to use this place as a stepping stone to gain skills and knowledge that would land me at a dealership for 20 years and then I’d retire,” Joe said. “But as time went on, I realized I didn’t want to work at a dealership. It’s just a different atmosphere here.”

“We do a lot of business and a lot of work,” he added. “It’s a very comfortable, personable shop. I know all of the customers which made the transition so much smoother.”

The Fryes, who said their two sons weren’t interested in auto repair careers, retired knowing their life’s work is in capable hands. They worked hard to build a successful business— revenue increased five times over from the time they took over until their retirement—and they want to make sure it continues to thrive.

“We always called our business our baby who never grew up,” Tina said while laughing. “We got to take care of the baby and now in retirement the baby is taking care of us. We know Joe well and love Joe, so much so, that we left our name—Frye’s Auto Repair—because we trust him.”

Tony and Tina began talking about selling the business five years ago with Joe. They gradually increased his responsibilities and shared the working parts of the business. It benefited them with more time off in recent years.

While talking with Tony and Joe, it’s easy to see why the two connected. The words “safety” and “trust” came up frequently from both. Each said they sometimes have to have tough conversations with customers to let them know what needs to be done. Ultimately, repairing vehicles properly is about keeping everyone safe on the road.

“Safety is our number one goal,” Joe said. “We have to do this together. We have to live through this life together and keep everybody safe.”

Relatively Seamless

The slow transitioning of the business into Joe’s hands made the process relatively seamless. For Joe, it required changing his mindset.

“I want to get out there and diagnose everything and fix it because I’m really efficient at it. I know exactly what I want done and in what order and how I want it done,” he said. “But I’m learning to let the techs do it their way. That’s been the toughest, making the transition from wrenching on stuff to service writing.”

Joe plans to grow the business in terms of the number of cars served and he would like to add more employees, which isn’t an easy task.

Dillingham agrees that finding qualified employees can be tough. Although he still sees mostly full classes at Washburn Tech, he knows many companies in town need more help. It’s changed over the 14 years he has been teaching.

“At first, it seemed like our top students weren’t always placed by graduation. You could find a job, but you weren’t really sought after. Today that’s completely different,” he said. “Today, our advisory board is very active. They let us know when they’re looking for talent. To be honest, I’ve had students placed two weeks into the school year.”

Joe has been busy during the first six months that he’s been in charge, but he definitely plans to continue the relationship with Washburn Tech. Many changes are coming in the automotive industry and he wants to stay on top of it. He looks forward to meeting students who have his passion for fixing cars.

His goal for Frye’s Auto Repair is simple.

“Great quality and consistent service while keeping family first and foremost. I want you guys to be safe so my family and yours is safe on the road,” Joe said. TK