At Ford of the Shoals, the franchise concept worked so well that over the years, the store has continued its vertical integration efforts by opening a rental car service, a 100-foot-long tunnel car wash and a cafe, all integrated into one facility just down the street, he says.
In addition, the store established Extreme Auto Design, a company that installs spray-on bedliners and sells performance accessories.
“If I’m going to sublet all that work, I’m going to sublet it to myself,” he says. “We go to great lengths to increase our absorption rate.”
Greater access to parts is even more important than ever these days as supply chain issues hammer the auto industry, Thompson adds.
“I think everybody should be thinking about doing this,” he advises. “With the troubles we’re going through with parts shortages, having all these other avenues to buy parts is a big advantage.
“We have a body shop here, too, and trying to find parts is sometimes next to impossible,” Thompson continues.
“So having more resources than the guy down the road goes a long way. Being self-sufficient gives us many more business opportunities.”
