Bob Stretch - CEO of FixRim

Bio: Bob Stretch has been a car guy his whole life. From passes at his local drag strip in Canada to his current road racing endeavors across the United States, he has always been around cars: driving, collecting, racing and repairing them. It was his love of cars and the automotive industry that lead the genesis behind Wheels America.

In 1994, out of his garage in Arlington, Texas, Bob Stretch founded Wheels America – specializing in automotive wheel repair. Within sixteen weeks of repairing the first alloy wheel, Bob moved operations into a small space in an industrial complex. Five years later Wheels America had locations spreading from coast to coast, servicing collision repair shops nationwide.

Bob decided with the right equipment that most concepts of the Wheels America fixed locations could be introduced into mobile wheel repair, hence FixRim was born.

1. Tell us about the FixRim concept.

FixRim is a mobile wheel repair franchise that solves the need to get wheels cosmetically repaired when damaged. It’s a great service that many car dealers use to make their used cars look better, and their body shops used when a wheel is damaged in a collision. It’s not unusual for our service to cost 1/10 of the replacement cost of a wheel, so the economics are strong.

2. How and when did you become involved with FixRim?

I founded the sister company, Wheels America, in 1994, and have been involved ever since.

3. What was your background prior to joining FixRim?

I’ve been a car guy my whole life, so this was a natural fit for me.  I worked in collision shops and auto repair facilities, and recognized and unmet need.

4. What are some of the advantages in being a FixRim franchisee?

There are some really big ones, but primarily it is the ability for Wheels America to supply wheels and technical knowhow that makes our system strong. We also have a proprietary cloud based management system that no other wheel repair company has, and that’s a big advantage as well.

5. Who is your ideal franchisee

Our ideal franchisee is a person who likes to take control of their future and build something special. This is a great opportunity for someone who is outgoing, likes to create B2B relationships, and likes the technical and blue collar side of any business.

6. Tell us a little about the automotive market?

The market is huge, with about 15 million cars a year sold. With better than 80% of those cars and trucks having alloy wheels, there are literally millions of wheels out there, and with low profile tires being so common, millions of them are getting damaged. We offer a solution that can be beat.

7. What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned in growing this franchise?

That there are people everywhere that need this opportunity! I’ve been surprised at how few low cost franchises are available that offer the kind of potential this one does.  And as long as people drive, our product is in demand.

8. Do you have a mentor and is their someone you use for inspiration?

I don’t have a mentor per se, but inspiration comes from my wife, who has overcome adversity to achieve her dreams.

9. What advice do you have for someone looking to acquire a Franchise?

Do your research, and pick what fits you best. There are good and bad ones, so be choosy!

10. In your opinion, why do you think that FixRim would be a great opportunity for someone?

Because it’s a simple business with great metrics, a great market, and an outstanding company behind it to back it up.