A dream of many parents is to see their children grow up, succeed, and do better than they did. That hasn't been easy in recent years, but Ron Morrow Jr. is an example of how hard work and determination can get you there. The second-generation Grease Monkey franchisee has even expanded far beyond his father's footprint in Colorado, with new locations in neighboring Arizona and Texas.
It would be easy to suggest that Morrow was simply handed the keys to the proverbial kingdom. The business was already successful, and it could have likely continued as usual for years, even decades to come. But Morrow didn't just learn the ropes to run the business; he maintained a drive to expand it.
As National Oil and Lube News reported in February, Morrow has since grown their number of his franchise locations to 26 with two more set to open at press time, making him the Grease Monkey franchisee with the most locations, which explains why he was named the Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association for the brand.
Grease Was in the Blood
What is true is that Morrow grew up as a "grease monkey," working with his father when most kids would have rather been playing video games. Morrow tells NOLN he has always had a deep passion for automobiles, especially older classic models.
"It's very fair to say I grew up with Grease Monkey," says Morrow. "My father was a franchisee with the brand from 1987 to 2016. I spent my first day in a shop when I was just 13 years old, where I started out washing windows and vacuuming cars."
Morrow went on to work with his father for 20 years, when Morrow senior became the largest Grease Monkey franchisee in the country. His father proved to be an excellent mentor, providing what was essentially hands-on training of a multi-unit operation. After his father sold the company in 2016, Morrow stayed on and continued to oversee it as part of FullSpeed Automotive. That expanded to 32 locations, where the younger Morrow further learned the importance of taking care of people, including the staff, to build a strong team, while also teaching the lesson of effective time management.
That helped pave the way for him to branch out on his own.
"I left after about three years and purchased my first store in 2021," adds Morrow. "From there, with the help of some investors, our goal has been to grow, and we currently operate 26 stores, with two more scheduled to open in April. The team at Oilex is fantastic—they're eager to grow and have proven they can handle it the right way."
Learning the Ropes
While working alongside his father, Morrow also gained an understanding of the challenges that may come with expansion. That included maintaining a connection with the employees. Morrow adds having the right team in place can't be overstated.
"Managing a large number of shops is always a challenge, especially if you don't have the right people in the right positions," he explains. "At Oilex, we've built a talented team with incredible store-level managers and employees. We strongly believe in nurturing our employees and empowering them to make solid, independent decisions that benefit both the customer and the business."
To that end, he says he does his utmost to stay connected with every one of the franchise's 240 employees. That includes a monthly newsletter to communicate updates and insights, while he visits the stores as much as possible. An "open door policy" is also maintained, and employees know he is available anytime.
"Distance can be a challenge, especially now that we're operating in three states," explains the franchisee owner.
Efforts are made to visit each location at least once a month, or every other month at the least, and more importantly to connect with employees in person. When that's not possible, Morrow makes a point to check in frequently through phone calls and video chats.
"It's all about staying connected, even when the physical distance is a factor," Morrow continues, while he says that there are plans for further expansion. "We love the markets we are currently in—Colorado, Arizona, and Texas—and we see great potential for continued growth in these regions."
Not Just Employees—They're Family
Not surprisingly, Ron Morrow Jr. has employees whom he has known personally for decades, including some who worked alongside his father. He says the franchise has been blessed to have several team members who have been on board for 30 to 40 years.
"Their experience and dedication are invaluable to the success of our franchises," acknowledges Morrow.
Likewise, Morrow believes that the expansion has benefited the customer as well, as it ensures that they receive a consistent experience at every location.
"We focus on providing the same level of detailed care, whether it's the vehicle we're working on or the customer we're serving. This consistency builds trust, so our customers know they can expect the same quality of service wherever they go," he tells NOLN. "For example, we have several 'snowbirds' who use our locations in Colorado and then in Arizona when traveling or residing in both states."
It's a Balance
Beyond running a successful franchise, Morrow acknowledges that there is a time for rest and play, which includes a focus on family.
"I'm a proud parent of two beautiful kids, and I love watching them compete in whatever sport they're involved in," says Morrow.
He and his wife enjoy spending time outdoors in the mountains, especially hiking and snow skiing, while his other passions include fly fishing and chasing big trout on the great rivers of Colorado, and playing golf. He's even taken up beekeeping.
The future of the brand is never far from mind either.
"As for passing the business down to a third generation, I do have an 18-year-old son who's very interested in the business," Morrow continues. "He's worked at one of our locations for about two years now, and he chose a college in a town where we have a store. He plans to continue working in the business and learning everything he can."
