CARSTAR, one of North America’s largest collision repair franchises with nearly 500 units, will expand its presence to Tampa with one of the largest franchise deals in company history. Through a newly established partnership with Impact Properties, a full service investment, operating and development company, CARSTAR will immediately begin acquiring successful body shops in Tampa and searching for local body shop personnel.
The latest deal with CARSTAR marks the first auto brand partnership for Impact Properties. Founded by entrepreneur Dilip Kanji, Impact Properties has more than 30 years of management experience in the hospitality, retail and restaurant industries. The family business that began as a mom-and-pop motel in Gainesville, Florida, has now grown into a premier hospitality and franchise ownership and development team. Impact Properties boasts a diverse portfolio of nationally recognized brands, including Marriot, Hilton, Westin, Rent-A-Center, BurgerFi and Firehouse Subs.
“We’ve been looking to diversify our portfolio with less volatile industries and the auto aftermarket has shown stable growth in recent years, making CARSTAR a strategic investment,” said Senior Vice President of Impact Properties, Shirin Kanji. “Since Tampa is our home base, we’re extremely familiar with real estate, demographics and landscape to help jumpstart expansion. We’re thrilled to partner with CARSTAR because the brand aligns seamlessly with our corporate vision from a development and operational standpoint.”
The Tampa expansion will also strengthen the local economy through creation of sustainable employment for skilled laborers. As part of the deal, CARSTAR will seek to hire managers, technicians, painters and other body shop staff for each location. More than 90 percent of U.S. auto shops are independently owned, presenting a major conversion opportunity for CARSTAR and its partners to grow the franchise system. CARSTAR is a leader in paint and collision consolidation, with a world-class conversion program, consistent and proven processes and a seamless platform for new and existing franchisees.
“Tampa is a thriving metro area with significant body shop demands, so it’s been at the forefront of our expansion vision for some time,” said CARSTAR’s Vice President of Franchise Development, Sam Freeman. “The opportunity to work with Impact Properties aligns CARSTAR with a premier partner at the ideal time. We’re thrilled to launch expansion plans in Tampa, with an integrated local development team.”
CARSTAR and its franchise network employs 4,000 automotive professionals throughout the United States and Canada. Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, CARSTAR was founded in 1989 and has repaired more than four million vehicles since opening its doors. CARSTAR’s parent company, Driven Brands, Inc., is a leading automotive franchise holding company with $2.3 billion in system-wide annual sales and more than 2,300 locations worldwide. Driven Brands, Inc. was also recently announced as a new member of Roark Capital Group, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that specializes in franchise, brand management, environmental services and marketing services companies with attractive growth prospects.
For more information on CARSTAR and conversion opportunities, please visit www.CARSTAR.com. For more information about Impact Properties, please visit www.ImpactProperties.com.
