CARLSBAD, Calif., June 14, 2015—CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts had a record-setting 2014, and the company expects continued growth in 2015.
That was the message delivered by CARSTAR CEO David Byers during his opening presentation Sunday on Day 2 of the MSO’s 26th annual national conference, being held Saturday through Tuesday at the Park Hyatt Aviana in Carlsbad, Calif.
Sunday’s lineup also included a session about integrity leadership from Marcy Tieger of Symphony Advisors, a presentation from CARSTAR Canada president Michael Macaluso, and discussion panels about consolidation and insurance relations.
Speaking to a room of roughly 400 CARSTAR franchisees, executives and additional industry professionals, Byers opened the day with an energetic presentation about the state of the company.
CARSTAR delivered North American revenue of $712 million in 2014—a record for the company and a nearly 10 percent increase from its $649 million in total 2013 sales. Same store sales were up 11.3 percent last year, and insurance-related sales rose 11 percent over 2013 numbers. CARSTAR added 179 DRPs in 2014 alone.
Already in 2015, Byers said the company is on track for additional growth. In the first fiscal quarter of 2015, same store sales already increased 12.5 percent over 2014, as the company did $195.6 million in total sales—a higher pace than in 2014.
And, Byers credited that growth to the franchisees in the room Sunday.
“Without the blood, sweat and tears of these independent owners, the CARSTAR network would not be able to deliver the repeatable, reliable outcomes, industry leading customer satisfaction and the highest quality of vehicle repairs that we do,” he said.
