AAMCO Taps R.J. Brunelli & Co. As National Real Estate Representative

OLD BRIDGE, N.J., April 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- R.J. Brunelli & Co. LLC today announced that it has been appointed by AAMCO to serve as its exclusive national real estate representative.

In this capacity, the Old Bridge-based firm will work with the transmission and total car care chain's real estate department to assist new franchisees seeking locations as well as existing franchisees who are looking to open additional shops or relocate following lease expirations. The retail real estate firm will assist with all facets of AAMCO's real estate process, from site selection all the way through helping franchisees with their lease negotiations.

The chain is seeking 4,000- to 6,000-square-foot spaces with 16-foot ceilings, zoned for automotive use. Freestanding locations are preferred, but the chain will consider shopping center end-caps that offer the ability to install bay doors and at least six lifts, said R.J. Brunelli account manager Joseph Amecangelo, who is co-directing the AAMCO account with account manager Patti Fiore.

Ms. Fiore noted that R.J. Brunelli will assist with site selection in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic markets within a five-hour drive of its New Jersey office. Outside that area, it will work in concert with affiliate brokers who are part of the national Realty Resources network, as well as independent brokers in those areas that are not covered by Realty Resources members. "In all cases, R.J. Brunelli will be the initial direct contact with the franchisee and manage the overall process under the direction of AAMCO's real estate department," she said.

"Retaining a national brokerage firm relieves our corporate real estate department of the day-to-day footwork required to search nationally for real estate for our franchisees and also streamlines the process," explained Marybeth Mack, AAMCO real estate support specialist. "Streamlining this process with a single point of contact allows us at the corporate level to concentrate on personalizing our relationships with the individual franchisees once the zone or relocation request is established and to assist them from initiation of site search to opening, rather than focusing solely on the search."

She added: "AAMCO's expansion requires a specialized national brokerage firm that can move quickly with us and is equipped to provide the demographic information necessary to strategically place additional centers in desired locations throughout the country.  R.J. Brunelli has the experience, expertise, recognition and technology, along with the national brokerage and site ownership relationships, to offer us the real estate support that we need to expand our transmission and total car care retail network."

R.J. Brunelli has already brokered real estate deals through lease execution for AAMCO total car care centers in East Brunswick, N.J. and Glen Burnie, Md., with leases out for signature on six other locations, and 11 additional deals in various stages of negotiations.   

For AAMCO real estate information, contact Patti Fiore, [email protected] or Joseph Amecangelo, [email protected] . For franchising information, visit www.aamcofranchises.com.

About R.J. Brunelli & Co.

R.J. Brunelli & Co. serves as exclusive broker for 19 existing retail properties and eight centers under construction with a combined gross leasable area (GLA) of approximately 2.14 million square feet, along with three business locations for sale or lease, and seven properties for sale. The properties are located throughout New Jersey. The firm also serves as exclusive or preferred tenant representative for 18 retail, restaurant and service chains. These include national assignments for AAMCO and Athena Learning Centers, as well as representation in various New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania counties for such major companies as Burger Fi, Burger King, Corner Bakery, Dollar Tree, Red Robin, Sally Beauty Supply, Toys "R" Us/Babies "R" Us, and Work Out World. 

About AAMCO

AAMCO Transmissions, Inc., a subsidiary of American Driveline Systems, Inc., is the world's largest franchise chain of transmission specialists. AAMCO has approximately 700 automotive centers throughout the United States and Canada. Established in 1962, AAMCO centers have served more than 45 million drivers. For franchise or other information, visit www.AAMCO.com.

SOURCE R.J. Brunelli & Co. LLC