Precision Tune Auto Care

Precision Tune Auto Care celebrates over 30 years in the automotive service industry with a look at historical milestones. . .

1975

• Founder Bill Childs acts on his idea of a convenient "tune-up".

1976

• Bill Childs names this idea "Precision Tune" with the first center located in Beaumont, Texas.

1977

• Bill Childs begins franchising Precision Tune tune-up centers.
• First Area Developer: Don and Janie Scott in Orlando, Florida.
• First Franchisee: Wally and Dolly Metrojean in Alexandria, Louisiana

1979

• 100th center opens in Oakridge, Tennessee by franchisee Al Williams, under the Area Developer Carleton McMullin, who remains an Area Developer today for Tennessee and Arkansas.

1980 

• Innovative "We Care" Card Program introduced as a customer service measurement tool, still being used today...and now available online!

1987  

• Precision Tune introduces a precedent-setting 12-month/12,000 mile nationwide warranty.
• Corporate office relocates from Texas to Sterling, VA with the announcement of Don Ervin, one of the new company investors, as President and CEO.

1989    

• Company acquires National 60-Minute Tune, representing 60 franchisees in Washington, Oregon, Florida and Southern California.

1990

• Precision Tune begins franchising internationally in Taiwan.
• President and CEO, Joseph Grimaud relocates offices to Leesburg, VA for a better location to accommodate an on-site, fully-equipped training center, convenient to Washington Dulles International Airport.

1991

• The first international center opens in Taipei, Taiwan.

1996

• "Precision Tune" becomes "Precision Tune Auto Care" to address the industry shift from specialization to complete car care.
• 20th center opens in Taiwan.
• 20 centers added with the Acc-U-Tune & Brake acquisition in the San Francisco bay area.
• Lifetime Brake Warranty introduced.

1997  

• Precision Auto Care, Inc. (PACI) is born as a result of the initial public offering instituted by President and CEO Jay Ripley, and the company begins franchising Precision Lube Express and Precision Auto Wash, in addition to Precision Tune Auto Care.

2000  

• Lou Brown named President and CEO as part of a corporate recapitalization plan; Company returns to its core business, Precision Tune Auto Care.
• Precision Tune Auto Care enters Portugal.
• PACI sells its manufacturing and distribution center, Precision Automotive Components because the wholesale distribution business is not profitable and consumes a significant amount of capital.
• First Getty/Precision Tune Auto Care center opens in Clinton, MA.

2001

• First center opens in Lisbon-Alameda, Portugal.

2002 

• PACI inks trial deal with Shell Arabia Car Care to create two Precision Tune Auto Care hub sites in Riyadh and Jeddah.

2003 

• PACI announces the sale of HydroSpray, its car wash manufacturing subsidiary; Company returning to solid financial footing; reinstitutes Bi-Annual Franchise Convention with kick-off in Las Vegas; now focused on growth.
• 5th Portugal center opens in Massama, Portugal; Master Licensee announces expansion plans for 26 centers in Portugal and future expansion in Spain.
• Lobby Renewal Program executed in stores nationally, to maximize the customer experience.

2005

• International growth: 2 stores now operating in Canada; 16 stores now operating in Portugal; 2 stores now operating in Spain.

2006   

• Robert Falconi becomes President and CEO; Lou Brown takes the role of Chairman.
• Precision Tune Auto Care forms partnership with NASCAR Nextel Cup Driver & Precision Tune Auto Care customer, Bill Lester, for a summer Fuel Saver promotion.

2007   

• Precision Tune Auto Care opens 2 company stores and purchases property for two more.

2008    

• PACI voluntarily filed for deregistration with the SEC.
• Precision Tune Auto Care opens 5 more company stores this year.