St. Louis Jiffy Lube Stores 'Calling All Cars' to Help Raise $10,000 for Humane Society, Celebrate Grand Re-Openings

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- One local oil change business is going to the dogs – and cats. Twenty five years after Jiffy Lube first came to the area, it recently invested $1.6 million in a new look and efforts to enhance customer service.  To celebrate, Jiffy Lube franchisee Heartland Automotive Services Inc. is having a grand re-opening of its 32 St. Louis stores and partnering with the local Humane Society.

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Through Aug. 20, Jiffy Lube will make a donation to the Humane Society of Missouri for every Jiffy Lube Signature Service® Oil Change performed at Jiffy Lube service centers in the area. Customers also are encouraged to make a $2 donation at stores to help achieve the goal of raising $10,000. In addition, customers can enter the Shell Gas Card Sweepstakes to win $500, $300 or $200 in free gas.

Board of Alderman President Lewis Reed's Legislative Director Harry Kennedy and Mayor Francis Slay's Assistant to the Mayor Helen Yane joined Jiffy Lube Heartland executives and Humane Society of Missouri President Kathy Warnick to kick off the two-week charitable drive at the 4592 Manchester Road St. Louis location to highlight the changes Jiffy Lube has made for customers.

"This is a moment when community and business come together," President of the Board of Alderman Lewis Reed said.  "I appreciate that Jiffy Lube is making investments in its customers, employees and our St. Louis neighborhoods."

Jiffy Lube, which pioneered the first drive-through service, window cling reminder stickers and drive-in underground service bays, has 242 employees that service more than 360,000 cars a year in the St. Louis area. Nearly two years ago, the oil change operator decided it needed to better differentiate Jiffy Lube among quick lube operators and focus even more on service. The result was re-imaging and Operational Excellence programs that include a new look to the exterior and interior of stores and a greater focus on customer service.  

"We embarked on a significant cultural shift to drive a great guest experience," said Brett Ponton, CEO of Heartland, Jiffy Lube's largest franchisee and operator of the San Diego stores. "We've already seen the difference. Service centers that have completed the new look and guest care program are outperforming stores that have not undergone the transformation."  

In fact, customers are responding to the new look and improvement in service so much so that nationally those Jiffy Lube locations that have undergone re-imaging and implemented Operational Excellence are experiencing on average 3.6 percent more vehicles per day.  

The re-introduction to area Jiffy Lube stores, called "Unleashing a New Standard in Service," is a nod to the fact that Jiffy Lube is both going through a business change and wants to celebrate with the community by supporting the local Humane Society. The Jiffy Lube grand re-opening event today included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the dignitaries in attendance to re-dedicate the store as well as a one-day pet adoption area. Community members could adopt a dog or cat onsite and donate to the Humane Society during the event.  

"We hope everyone will participate in this call to action to help make a difference for the local humane society," Warnick said. "A trip to take care of your car means taking care of an animal."

As customers stop by St. Louis Jiffy Lube locations during the next two weeks, they not only can support the Humane Society, but they can see improvements in the overall look, feel and personalized customer experience of the stores firsthand.  

"Our guests depend on us to get it right and deliver a great experience," Ponton said. "We understand that times are tough for many people in the area. Their cars are important to them, and they want to get the best experience and value for their dollar."

About Heartland Automotive Services Inc.

The American quick lube industry provides more than 100 million oil changes every year from more than 10,000 standalone locations. Within this industry, there is one dynamic growing company that stands out from the rest – Heartland Automotive Services, dba Jiffy Lube, the largest franchisee of quick lube retail service stores in the country. Operating 400 Jiffy Lube locations from coast to coast and serving nearly 5 million guests each year with more than 3,500 professional teammates, Heartland strives to provide a WOW experience for every valued guest on every visit.

SOURCE Heartland Automotive Services Inc./Jiffy Lube