Jiffy Lube: Leading the Way in Automotive Maintenance and Services

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Jiffy Lube is a well-known American automotive service chain that specializes in oil changes.

The chain's origins date back to 1979 when W. James Hindman acquired the initial seven Jiffy Lube franchises from Edwin H. Washburn and established Jiffy Lube International.

Jiffy Lube franchises provide a wide array of automotive services, including oil changes and lubrication for cars and light trucks, air conditioning maintenance, brake services, cooling system upkeep, engine and fuel system cleaning, emissions testing and inspections, tire services, and more.

Currently, Jiffy Lube operates as an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Shell Oil Company. Since it began franchising in 1979, the brand has grown significantly, with over 2,100 locations worldwide.

Training 

Jiffy Lube provides an extensive operations training program tailored for Service Center managers. The duration and content of this course are set by the franchisor, and it is conducted at venues chosen by Jiffy Lube.

The franchisor covers the expenses for instructors, classroom facilities, and training manuals. However, if the training occurs outside of Jiffy Lube's primary business area, franchisees might need to contribute to the costs of renting classroom space and the instructors' travel expenses.

Franchisees are responsible for the wages of their employees attending the training, as well as their transportation, meals, lodging, and any incidental personal expenses during the training period.

Jiffy Lube's training program is thorough and includes a web-based component that requires a passing test score upon completion. Additionally, there is on-the-job training (OJT) to build skills and gain practical experience.

Leadership Training certification is also available at Jiffy Lube, requiring the completion of instructor-led courses. This training can be taken virtually, and some courses may have associated tuition fees.

Territory Protection

Franchisees do not receive exclusive territory rights with Jiffy Lube. Before signing a Franchise Agreement, an area is negotiated where the franchisee may establish their service center, detailed in the New Construction Addendum to the Franchise Agreement.

If the franchisee fails to secure a site or construct a service center within the designated timeframe, the franchisor has the right to terminate the agreement and offer the franchise opportunity in that area to another prospective franchisee.

Once a specific site is approved and committed to within the negotiated area, it is documented in the Rider to the Franchise Agreement. Subsequently, other franchisees may develop service centers at any location within that area, including locations the initial franchisee may have considered.

This policy means that while a specific area is negotiated for the franchisee's operation, exclusivity is not guaranteed, allowing other franchisees to potentially operate within the same region.