Oil Changer Offers Convenience, Service, and a Special Savings Program

By Nicole Zaro Stahl, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Headquartered in Hacienda for most of its 26-year history, Oil Changer, Inc., owns and operates 34 automotive maintenance stores across the state. Its locations are predominantly in the Bay Area, with 28 facilities spread from Sonoma to San Jose. Two more sites are located in the Fresno area, and San Diego is home to four stores.

These major markets represent tremendous opportunities for growth, relates Mark Britto, Vice President of Fleet Maintenance. The Tri-Valley facilities alone see combined traffic of well over 65,000 vehicles each year, and a total of 350,000 vehicles were serviced company-wide in 2012. Starting production in Northern California in September 1986 with just three employees, the company has grown to become one of the largest, independently owned quick lube chains in the country.

Oil Changer's carefully crafted fast oil change concept provides no-appointment-necessary services on a drive-through basis. "Our business model aligns well with California's reputation for car-consciousness and environmental awareness, and our commitments to convenience and environmental sensitivity make us an ideal service provider," Britto says.

The company's approach to technology also suits the surrounding culture. Its Internet-based computer system collects real-time data on the operational details of each store to track sales, labor, number of cars serviced, number of employees on duty, and more.

Along with providing immediate feedback on performance, the information gathered over the network helps managers in their efforts to follow the same exacting procedures across the entire chain. In addition, the automated system centralizes all vehicle service information, making it available at all stores. "Many of our customers are on the road a lot," Britto points out. "They choose Oil Changer because of our reputation for high-quality service, our convenient locations, and our centralized record-keeping. No matter which store they go to, their service history follows them. It's important for us that the customer experience will be the same regardless of location, whether in Petaluma or Pleasanton."

On the B2B side, Oil Changer honors the maintenance programs of all major leasing companies and has an established corporate account program with savings and billing capabilities, a significant convenience to businesses with company vehicles.

The company has also introduced a special Employee Savings Program that businesses can offer to their workforce as a benefit without incurring any additional cost. The program makes employees and their family members eligible for a 10 percent discount on all Oil Changer services. "In these times, perks are hard to come by, and the best part is that there is no cost to sign up," says Britto, noting that a partial list of companies that have adopted the program include Kaiser Permanente, the City of Pittsburg, Netflix, East Bay Municipal Utility District, and Wells Fargo. Hacienda employers interested in setting up a program can contact Britto at (925) 734-5814 or mark.britto@oilchangerinc.com.

Oil Changer also has a limited-time offer of a $5 savings for park tenants and residents, which can be used at any store, including the closest site at 4210 Rosewood Drive. To download this special coupon, visit the Hacienda web site at www.hacienda.org/tenants/tenants_special_offers_discounts.html. For a list of other locations, go to www.oilchanger.com.

Photo: Oil Changer's Mark Britto says the company serviced over 350,000 vehicles in 2012.

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