New Veteran Owned Business Provides Oil Changes with a Smile

10 Minute Oil Change Center Opens in Woodland Park

By Trevor Phipps

As the old saying goes “time is money.”

Sometimes getting maintenance done on vehicles can be tedious just because of the time people have to take out of their busy schedules.

However, last September a new business opened that’s focused on reducing the time it takes for vehicle maintenance like oil changes. Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change not only focuses on speed, but they aim to provide top notch customer service.

The oil change center operates differently than other mechanics or oil change hubs. Instead of patrons having to get out of their vehicles and sit in a waiting room, the oil change and other maintenance operations get conducted while the customer sits in their vehicle and enjoys a complimentary bottle of water.

People who have got their oil changed at Strickland Brothers have been impressed with their “service with a smile.” Others appreciate how they can watch the process get completed and then see the oil dipstick and make sure their car as enough oil before they leave.

Air Force veteran Rob Makros purchased the franchise late last year and he has implemented a military-style system for his staff’s work procedures. Strickland Brothers’ staff has an impressive system of communication that allows for the speedy service.

After Makros graduated from high school, he attended the Air Force Academy. After graduating from the academy, Makros started a career with the Air Force as a pilot.

“After graduation, I went on to fly airplanes for the majority of my career,” Makros said. “I started out with the F15 E Model and then a couple years after that I went on to the B2 Stealth Bomber. My wife is also active duty military and she flies planes as well.”

Makros said that after he retired from his career as a pilot, he knew he had to jump into something else to occupy his time. “At the end of my career I had to figure out what I wanted to do next and I didn’t want to sit behind a desk,” the oil change center’s owner said. “I liked the idea of working for myself so I got a franchise consultant. He opened my eyes to what’s available out there and what does well when the economy is not doing well and what does well when the economy is doing well.”

Makros said that an automotive shop and coffee hub were the two that caught his attention. He ended up meeting the founder of the franchise and decided to purchase the franchise and bring it to the former Rapid Lube building on Highway 67 in Woodland Park.

“I was able to take what was here previously and I was able to use my 25 years of flying planes in the military to know what right looks like when it comes to teamwork on a task,” Makros said. “The task being changing oil in someone’s car, so I implemented a lot of the tactics, techniques, and procedures I learned in the military into our ‘daily battle rhythm’ is what I call it. So, two sets of eyes and two sets of ears.”

During an oil change, customers can here the staff above and below ground giving each other verbal commands. Makros said that he implemented the same kind of communication system that two people flying a plane use.

On top of changing a vehicle’s oil, Strickland Brothers also tops of fluids like antifreeze and windshield washer fluid. They also check air filters and make sure the tire pressure is where it should be.

Overall, the oil change center focuses on oil and oil filter changes but they do provide other services. They offer wiper blades; tire rotations and they can change cabin filters. They also provide fuel additives and high mileage additives.

“I have a great team in place here,” the owner said. “They are the ones facing the customers every single day and providing them that quality customer service that I expect. I get lots of feedback from the customers saying that they enjoyed the experience.”

Being a veteran, Makros also likes to tell the stories of fellow local veterans on his business’ social media pages. Whenever a veteran comes into his shop he asks them about their stories and then tells the community about them.