The Meineke Dealers Association was formed in the early 90′s to organize Meineke dealers as an independent group to work together to address our concerns with Meineke Corporate. The Dealer Advisory Council (DAC), originally created by Meineke, had not proven effective and had no real input concerning Meineke policies.

By unifying the dealers, an Association was created that could influence Meineke Corporate policy. The Association also provided a forum for dealers to resolve issues and discuss current challenges facing the organization and the dealers.

Dealers were organized into districts represented by an elected, voting member who sat on the Board. The executive advisory committee did not vote on issues and only dealt with the day to day running of the organization. All of these officers and board members were volunteers and, in many cases, spent their own money to support the Association. Dues of $50 per shop were assessed and vendor support was obtained to further the Association’s activities. The Association Newsletter was developed during this time.

The Association was successful. Meineke’s attention had been caught. Issues were identified and inroads were made. As the Association continued to grow, the scope of problems being addressed expanded. Many solutions to the problems facing the dealers were discussed, and information and shared experiences helped dealers become more successful. Committees met with Meineke Corporate and advised Meineke Corporate of dealer concerns.

At one of these meetings early in 1993 an issue regarding advertising fund fees was exposed. This eventually led to the lawsuit between Meineke and its dealers. The lawsuit was supported by the majority of dealers throughout the country. Meetings were held and the dealers presented a unified voice in support of their interests. The Dealers won the lawsuit in a North Carolina court, but the decision was later overturned on appeal.

A second group of dealers led by Joe Grobowski and Ron Soto banded together after this loss to continue to push for a renegotiated and fair Franchise and Trademark Agreement with more favorable terms for the dealers, which included a reduction in franchise and advertising fees. Meineke’e parent company, GKN, realized that a CEO with an interest in the needs of the dealers would help end the strife between the two groups. In January 1996, Ken Walker joined the company and has helped bring Corporate and the dealers together. Both sides compromised and a settlement was reached early in 2000. The Association and the National Council merged and the Association has continued to be the voice of the dealers to this day.

The Association has accomplished a great deal that benefits all dealers in their current dealings with Meineke Corporate, as Meineke itself will attest. The renegotiated Franchise and Trademark Agreement earned the AAFD ‘s “Fair Franchising Seal of Approval”, as well as earning Meineke the “Franchisor of the Year” award for 2001.

Perhaps one of the most important benefits the Association offers its members is the chance to learn from and share with fellow dealers across the country what strategies and tools will most help us all be more profitable and successful.

We encourage everyone to support the independent Meineke Dealers Association through joining, submissions to the newsletter, participation at local and regional meetings and attendance of the Joint Annual Meineke/MDA National Conference held yearly at various locations throughout the country.