LAS VEGAS (BRAIN) — Mobile bike repair service Beeline Bikes is at its first Interbike with a fresh feather in its cap: The Bay Area-based company has signed up its first seven franchisees in California.
And with more than 900 application inquiries and counting from hopeful franchisees, Beeline is encouraged by the momentum.
"What we're seeing now is the markets that look really good for us are Portland, Seattle, Denver, Salt Lake City and Phoenix," founder and CEO Peter Buhl said Thursday at Interbike, where one of its repair vans is on display in a space shared with Abbey Bike Tools.
Beeline launched in 2013 and currently has eight company-owned vans in the Bay Area staffed by individual mechanics who are Beeline employees. They respond to individual service calls and tend to corporate clients in their territories. All service calls are routed through Beeline's central system.
Since June, the company has been marketing franchise opportunities to qualified mechanics looking to establish their own businesses. So far, the company has signed up six franchisees in Northern California and one in Southern California.
From the time the franchise contract is signed, it takes 60 to 90 days for mechanics to roll out in their fully stocked repair van. The company's first franchisee is set to go live in October, Buhl said.
Qualified franchisees receive extensive training in customer interaction, Beeline's support systems, and how to run a business. They will do 30 hours of advance preparation, including online modules, before going to Beeline's San Carlos headquarters for two weeks of classroom training and ride-alongs with van operators.
As the company prepares to launch its first franchises, bolstering its Beeline University ongoing training program has been a top priority.
"So we're growing that team out right now, and that's going to be a huge asset for us," said Peter Small, director of marketing and programs.
