After 75 years of expanding the   company one car care center at a time in the New York area, a new management team at Tilden For Brakes Car Care Centers has begun the process of taking the well-respected name national. Franchising of the concept has already begun assigned. Tilden Associates, the parent company, projects that the rollout will result in over 150 Tilden For Brakes Car Care Centers in operation over the next three years. The automotive service industry grossing $160+ billion per year, is a proven vehicle for success. According to the American Market Research Council, the average length of time a person owns a vehicle is 7.8 years. There are an estimated two hundred million vehicles on the road that are, on average, over seven years old and in need of service. Company President Robert Baskind notes that "The car care center business is one of the fastest growing segments of the automotive repair market, but established names like Midas and Jiffy Lube are either sold out or much too costly. With more people keeping their cars longer and longer, a total car   care center offering a full menu of automotive repair services has even bigger business potential today". Competition generally comes from new car dealers and specialty service centers. Because dealerships typically charge premium rates for their services, consumers doing nonwarranty repairs or maintenance typically favor local automotive centers offering fair price and reliable individual service, performed by an operator with a vested interest in the success of the business. Tilden's trusted reputation for quality service and competence, gives them an edge. Since the average American household owns two or more vehicles, a full service Tilden For Brakes Car Care Center generates significant repeat business from loyal, satisfied customers who subsequently refer family and   friends. Tilden For Brakes Car Care Centers have several  millions of automobile owners since the Tilden family founded the company back in 1923. While Tilden initially built its quality reputation on brakes, all of its units currently offer full auto servicing. Specialty service centers, such as quick lubes, transmission, muffler shops and other niche repair shops are very often limited to specific auto repairs. Tilden For Brakes Car Care Centers are complete repair and maintenance centers, utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. The eight existing Tilden automotive centers cover the New York metropolitan region, including Long Island, Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. for the remainder of 1997 and into 1998, Tilden's  management anticipates opening 10 additional shops in Northern California, 10 in Southern California, and 20 outside of the state (beyond NY). For 1998/99, 15 have been projected to open in  Northern CA, 15 more in Southern CA, and 30 outside the state. Long term expansion plans, 1999 through the year 2000, call for 20 additional car care units in No. CA, 20 again in So. CA and 40 outside CA. California is considered a prime market for their services, with all regions of the same being considered for new locations. Freestanding sites and end cap or outlying pads in open-air centers are desired. The average Tilden  Car Care Center is 4,000 to 6,000sq.ft. in size, with 4 to 6 access bays. an additional consideration would be a separate building resembling an auto service area  of a dealership, with a single entrance that provides access to 4 to 6 interior service bays. Mall size is of little consideration,  providing traffic count is substantive (locations on a main thoroughfare are optimum, with 25,000 cpd drive by). Light industrial or commercial buildings on a main road could also be adapted, provided at least 6 bays could be attained. The parking requirement is for 6 to 12 car stalls, Signage is standard back-lit, with their signature color striping. They also prefer to have a pylon sign of at least 4'X8'. Demographics should exhibit a population of 50,000 people within a 5-mile radius. The median family household income should be 40,000+ annually. The typical customer is 25 or older possesses a high school education, and earns approximately $20,000 per year. Tilden management prefers to build to suit and will accept no less than a vanilla box with a clean exterior and office build out. Cotenancy preference is for non competitive automotive related businesses(i.e., car wash, gas station, body shop, auto stereo/ alarm, etc,). Tilden docs, however, specify an exclusive on brakes and related front end work, engine repair and tune ups. The lease term is for 10 years minimum, with three 5year options. Site selection and approval can be made in 21 days, after having been reviewed by the franchisee or area franchisee and real estate director or company president. Tilden For Brakes Car Care Centers has an impeccable reputation. Management intends to grow beyond the current geographic scope by franchising nationally through the sale of multi unit (3 to 9 centers) and area development franchisees (10 or more), ultimately going international. It's easy to see how they've placed themselves in the driver's seat having been in the business of critical service for 75 years. Direct site submittals and franchise inquiries to: Robert Baskind, President Tilden Associates. Tilden For Brakes Car Care Centers TM 300 Hempstead Turnpike, Suite 110 West Hempstead, NY 11552 Phone: 516-746-7911, Fax: 516-746-1288