SHOP STATS: Red Roof Fast Lube Location: Quincy, Ill. Operator: Debbie Waters Average Car Count: 55 Staff Size: 6 Shop Size: 2 bays Average Ticket: $65
Keep it Local
Shop owner Debbie Waters was working at the nearby C-store when she had an opportunity at the Red Roof Fast Lube. She started managing the shop and set up plans to buy it. In 2015, she became the owner.
She says the building was in good shape when she took over, but Waters has done a lot of renovating. She has experience renovating homes, so she had a good idea of how she could make a comfortable quick lube for customers.
“We’ve got a break room that we’re working on right now,” Waters says. “We’re always remodeling something.”
Some of the most common compliments she gets is on the recent renovation of the bathroom.
Personal Touches
The building itself lives up to the name. A bright red metal roof really sets off the building and draws attention.
The renovations really show in the customer waiting room. Newer floors, painted walls and personal touches are all around. There’s an emphasis on kid-friendly fun.
“We’ve done a lot of different stuff inside there,” Waters says. “We have animals up front, and we do coloring contests all the time for them.
One piece of decor has been a hit with customers. On the wall, there are photos of former and current military service members who received a free oil change as part of a shop promotion.
“We just started a veterans board,” Waters says. “When a veteran comes in, we give a free oil change per month to a service member.”
Animal Friendly
Many animals come and go at Red Roof Fast Lube. The shop’s Facebook page shows guinea pigs, dogs, and other animals. That’s just fine with Waters, who is an animal lover.
More recently, two lizards have taken up residence in the waiting room. Sonny and JoJo live in cages but are able to stretch their legs at times.
“Sometimes we’ll let them out, let them walk around,” Waters says. “It's just really comfortable in there.”