Locals launch diesel repair franchise concept

A father-and-son business team are launching a new Orlando-based franchise company that offers high-quality standardized maintenance and repair service for some 6 million registered diesel trucks and construction vehicles across the United States.

So far, Diesel Truck FleetService has signed up franchisees in Indiana, New Hampshire and Texas. Plans are to sign up 50 franchisees during the next 18 months, each paying $200,000 to $250,000 for the franchise rights in their area. Central Florida is still up for grabs, said company co-founder James Merrill.

What the franchisees will get in return is a suite of software systems and services developed during the last 31?2 years that covers all bookkeeping, inventory, parts for all major truck types, ordering and every other aspect of the business. A proprietary diagnostic software also has been developed to help mechanics analyze and solve problems.

In addition, franchisees will get access to a continuously updated database of all the registered diesel trucks in the country, including truck types as well as the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the owners in their area so they can market directly to them.

A database of 24 million parts, their prices and where to get them locally also will be available. Diesel Truck FleetService is offering a nationwide warranty on all service work.

"These guys streamlined the whole thing and made opening a service department a whole lot easier because every detail is taken care of," said Diane Wells, a franchisee and a 43-year-old former cobra helicopter weapons systems mechanic.

Merrill touts the concept as an idiot-proof system that can be put together with no prior mechanical experience on the part of the franchisees. In fact, expertise in an industry is not critical in franchising, said the International Franchise Association.

"You don't have to be a mechanic to do this," said Merrill. "We want a businessman owning the business and a mechanic to do the repairs."

To help with the franchising, Ken Hollowell was hired as chief executive officer. Hollowell has been a franchise consultant for 35 years, working with Merry Maids and Mama Celeste pizza.

Neither the International Franchise Association nor the American Trucking Association could cite anything on the market similar to what Diesel Truck FleetService offers.

Spokesman Terry Hill thinks Diesel Truck FleetService has a real shot at succeeding, as long as it has ample capital, a solid, well-developed plan and patience. "One of the biggest challenges a new franchisor faces is growing too fast," Hill said. "The key is supporting your franchisees."

Diesel Truck FleetService

Headquarters: 7751 Kingspointe Parkway, Orlando 32819
Total investment required: 200,000-$250,000
Contact: (321) 206-0558, www.dieseltruckfleetservice.com