A rapidly expanding automotive repair franchise has its first Wisconsin location.
A Christian Brothers Automotive opened early this month in Sun Prairie, along Highway 19 near the Pick'n Save on the city's west side.
The shop, at 2420 Ironwood Drive, is owned by Jeff Van Sant, who for 24 years ran his own, 10-bay full-service shop in his hometown of Pella, Iowa. But after his two daughters married and moved to Madison, grandchildren came into the picture, and Van Sant and his wife in 2016 began exploring ways to relocate closer to their daughters.
“I never imagined being a franchisee, but I am very excited to be working with Christian Brothers Automotive,” Van Sant said. “Once I learned about their value-based philosophy of doing business — something I had never heard of before — I knew it was going to be a good business relationship.”
Christian Brothers was founded in 1982 in Houston by two men who had attended an adult Sunday school class together. The company began to offer franchises in 1996 and now has 180 locations in 26 states, growing at a pace of 15 to 20 stores annually.
This story, by Barry Adams, first appeared on madison.com
