The Foster Group Recognized with Prestigious Jiffy Lube "Franchisee of the Year" Award

Franchise Owns and Operates Seven Service Centers in Western Montana

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Apr 18, 2019, 11:10 ET

HOUSTON, April 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Jiffy Lube International, Inc. recently recognized The Foster Group, Inc. as "Franchisee of the Year" during its annual convention held in Orlando, Fla. The annual award is presented to the franchise entity that best exemplifies Jiffy Lube core values and attributes, including a commitment to operational excellence, employees' professional development, innovation and an outstanding customer experience.

Owners Briggs Anderson and his wife Niki Leffingwell joined the Jiffy Lube network in January 2017 with an acquisition of service centers and now operate seven locations throughout Western Montana including three in Missoula as well as one location each in Columbia Falls, Butte, Bozeman and Helena.

"In a short period of time, The Foster Group has demonstrated a commitment to excellence, improving the appearance of the service centers, attracting and retaining well-trained team members and enhancing the overall customer experience," said Patrick Southwick, president of Jiffy Lube International, Inc.

With taking over existing stores, The Foster Group has focused on building trust with Jiffy Lube customers. The entire service center team focuses on providing quality service and delivering great customer service. "Our operational philosophy is that if we do a great job inspecting the vehicle and servicing the customer's vehicle, then we will develop a loyal customer base, with drivers returning to our locations for all of their vehicle maintenance needs," said Briggs Anderson. "Additionally, we coach our service center technicians to help educate customers on manufacturer recommendations so that the customer can decide when and what services they want performed on their vehicle."

Anderson added, "Jiffy Lube is known for speed and convenience. We create additional value for our customers by meeting or exceeding their expectations through quality and trust."

Our employees are critical in terms of delivering an exceptional customer experience. Comprehensive training is important to providing consistent quality service. The Foster Group strives to ensure employees feel valued, which results in the team taking pride in their job. "We raised wages by over 10% since taking over the business in January 2017," said Anderson. "Today, I think it is easier for some of our employees to envision a career at Jiffy Lube in Montana."

The Jiffy Lube franchisee is also committed to the environment. The service centers store motor oil in bulk tanks rather than cardboard boxes. Despite an initial investment, Anderson feels it is important as the investment reduces cardboard waste by at least 10 tons and reducing plastic by one ton in 2019 alone. Additionally, The Foster Group recycles all of its waste oil – either by using it for heating in the stores or recycling through a third-party oil recycler. The stores also recycle used metal oil filters rather than sending them to a landfill.

"I am honored to be the recipient of the highly-coveted 'Franchisee of the Year' award," said Anderson. "I believe the award was hard earned and much deserved by the 45 employees in Western Montana. Our first two years of business were challenging. But thanks to the work of great employees and patronage of great customers, we have been able to make it and look forward to many years ahead."

Prior to becoming a Jiffy Lube franchisee, Anderson served in Falluja, Iraq in 2007 and Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2008 with the Second Battalion of the Seventh Marine Regiment of the United States Marine Corps. Following Afghanistan, he returned to the U.S. to serve as an officer instructor at the Marine Corps' officer training school, The Basic School, in Quantico, Virginia.

Leffingwell holds a Master's in Nursing from Rush University in Chicago and received a post-graduate degree in Pediatric Nursing from the University of Colorado. She is a licensed Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Montana. Leffingwell worked as an RN Coordinator at Missoula Valley Pediatrics prior to making the decision to stay home and focus on their three children.

About Jiffy Lube
Founded 40 years ago, Jiffy Lube International, Inc. ("Jiffy Lube"), serves 20 million customers each year at more than 2,000 franchised service centers across North America. Jiffy Lube pioneered the fast oil change industry in 1979 by establishing the first drive-through service bay, providing customers with fast, professional service for their vehicles. The company continues to lead the industry with the evolution of its new business model, Jiffy Lube Multicare, offering oil change, brakes, batteries and tires as well as other services consumers want and need. Headquartered in Houston, Jiffy Lube is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Shell Oil Company. Visit www.JiffyLube.com to learn more about Jiffy Lube and vehicle care.

SOURCE Jiffy Lube International Inc.