Tuffy FRANCHISE SUPPORT & TRAINING

We are dedicated to the success of your Tuffy franchise and are committed to providing you with world-class support and service based on mutual respect and trust. When you join the Tuffy family, you'll be part of a group of experienced professionals who have extensive marketing, development, operations, and training experience in the after-market auto industry.

The Tuffy team provides all-inclusive support and hands-on training to help our franchisees maximize our proven business model.

PRE-OPENING FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT

Meet the Tuffy Team

Streamlined development process, easy-to-use tools and an experienced support team dedicated to Tuffy
Site selection, evaluation and analysis by the Tuffy real estate team
Access to equipment suppliers, and other vendors trained and experienced in Tuffy franchise development
Marketing department – initial advertising and marketing campaigns

COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING ON TIRE & AUTO SERVICE

During your initial training at the Tuffy Training Center, you will learn how to operate a successful and profitable Tuffy. The new dealer training program held in Toledo, Ohio is a 2 to 3-week course and is conducted as often as necessary to train the new franchisees. On-the-job training can be conducted in operating centers, including operations, and daily management.
Comprehensive training materials: shop administration, employee recruitment, vehicle inspection, sales techniques, inventory control, fiscal management, and most importantly customer service.
Tuffy University is our web based 24/7 training program. Included in Tuffy University is more than 210 courses designed to enhance the skills of technicians, service advisors, managers and owners. You will have the ability to track training for all employees, design a training path by job type and print certificates of completion by course completed

Meet the Tuffy Team

FRANCHISE ADVERTISING & MARKETING

Tuffy gives you a powerful jump start by assisting you in your initial advertising and marketing campaigns. Tuffy's Marketing Department will run a complete media analysis of your market and develops television and radio commercials, newspaper, point-of-sale materials, and special promotions specifically for your shop. These materials and special promotional items are made available whenever media plans and budgets include their use. Tuffy's computerized media capabilities and negotiating expertise assure professional and efficient media placement.

Innovative marketing plans, programs and promotions
High quality merchandising, point of purchase and advertising materials
Seasonal marketing campaigns
Online access to local store marketing ideas and materials
Scheduled visits from Tuffy corporate to assist in local store marketing efforts
In house, creative agency that provides Tuffy franchisees with customizable advertising and branding materials
Fully optimized (SEO) website

ON-GOING SUPPORT

Regular visits from Tuffy's district managers.
As a Tuffy Franchisee you'll have important communication resources available to you. Access to Tuffy representatives for advice during regularly scheduled in-shop meetings and via telephone.
A convenient toll-free technical hotline is also available for day-to-day problem solving.
Access to in-shop and market-wide training sessions, timely product information bulletins, a bi-monthly newsletter, and the annual dealer convention.
Business review analysis of store sales and performance vs. system-wide benchmarks.
Access to operating system manuals.

FRANCHISE ADVISORY COUNCIL TUFFY (FACT)

The function of this committee is to act as a representative of all Tuffy franchisees to establish optimal structured communications and rapport between Tuffy and its franchisees to maximize profits through an open exchange of ideas and constructive action.

Information Request Form

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Testimonials

Kim Kappes, was asked. What has being a Tuffy franchisee meant to you and your family? Kim said, “It has meant everything. Tuffy helped me and my wife Shelley, who also is involved in the business, achieve financial security for ourselves and for our family. I love you guys. If you’re willing to work hard and if you enjoy the sales process, and I do, you can make a lot of money in this business. Anytime you have someone seriously interested in becoming a Tuffy franchisee, I’ll be happy to talk with them and answer any questions they may have.”

Kim Kappes, Fargo, N.D.

It's hard for me to put into words what being a Tuffy franchise owner means to me, my family, and the team that we have built. I didn't come from the auto repair industry and I never would have believed this is where we would turn our dreams into reality. When we signed with Tuffy, it was my belief that their program would give us the power that the large chains have while allowing us to provide a service level that only a small family owned business can and at the sametime allow us to run our own business, and that is exactly what we have received. The corporate team, as well as the other franchise owners, have become our business associates, our business companions, our friends, our family, and our biggest supporters. It has taken some hard work, but we have been able to build financial success, professional fulfillment, and personal happiness. Today, I am so proud that we are now able to start spreading that success to others on the team that we built. I never would have dreamed that we would live in our home town in Michigan, own a business in Florida, and a second business in Michigan, with plans to add more stores in both states. Joining Tuffy has truly been life changing!

Ben Thorington, St. Johns, Grand Haven

As a young 27-year-old entrepreneur who wanted to take a dream and turn it into a reality, Tuffy took me seriously! Starting from day one with onsite support from District Manager Scott Adams to continued training support empowering my staff to grow. With this support and hard work, I was able to grow into 3 stores in less than 3 years with a plan for more on the horizon. If someone told me five years ago this is where I would be, I would have thought that’s impossible. Thanks for believing in me Tuffy!!

Aaron Suffoletto, Gahanna, Grove City, and Lewis Center, OH

My wife and I have owned a Tuffy^® Auto Service Center for over 8 years, and it has been an excellent experience. My background is engineering and I have led engineering teams, but this is my first experience in a retail auto service business and owning my own business. The training and support from Tuffy allowed us to take a failing location that had been closed and turn it around to become a top-ten store nationally (2015). Tuffy provided training at their facilities, at other store locations, and at my store. In just 8 months we had built a business that was running in excess of $1M/year by following their tenets, procedures, and guidelines.
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My District Manager Warren is a great guy – he helped me with the hiring of my initial team, gives advice on various issues whenever I ask, has been here to help with the training process, and is always available for questions and to help with any issues that arise. The support staff at Tuffy Corporate is likewise extremely helpful. Tuffy’s CFO Karen and President Roger have been there for one-on-one meetings, support, and advice whenever I have asked. The Director of Franchising Bob is a great guy and helped tremendously with the purchase of the franchise. Barry has helped us at every step with advertising, promotions and our website which has filled our shop with customers. Once they are there, implementing the training on how to run the shop and deal with our customers has kept them coming back. In the rare instance, there is a customer complaint or issue, Bridgette and Warren do a fantastic job of resolving it. Tuffy has a Franchisee Advisory Council which represents our issues, views, and concerns and works with Tuffy for our benefit.

Overall this has been a very rewarding experience, a lot of hard work, and an opportunity to control our own destiny.

Jim Heim, Loves Park, IL