In the quick lube field, it isn’t uncommon to see families working in the business together. Whether it’s a parent bringing in the next generation or a married duo running the show, the families behind these shops bring a special kind of strength to their operations through their relationships. 

With those relationships, though, come unique challenges and experiences. To help break down how family-run shops run efficiently, we share insights from two SpeeDee Oil Change franchisees seeing success working with their own families in a quick lube environment. 

Susan Shaw works as a district manager with her parents, Denise and Brian Morrison—the latter being the 2025 NOLN Operator of the Year. Denise and Brian’s son Brandon has led the South Carolina market since 2025, and their daughter Tiffany recently came on board as an assistant manager in training. 

The family operates a 19-location, dual-brand franchise operation spanning Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service centers across South Carolina and North Carolina. 

Lynn Malone, meanwhile, is a former pastor who made a career shift into the automotive industry, and now owns and operates a SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service location alongside his son, Adam, and his wife. 

Editor's note: These interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

NOLN: What are the best ways to keep your work life separate from your personal time with family outside of work? 

Susan Shaw: One of the most important things is learning to leave work at work. When you work with family members, business conversations can easily follow you home. Setting clear boundaries is essential and requires intentional effort. It's natural for work topics to come up in family settings, but recognizing when it's happening and redirecting the conversation helps maintain a healthy balance between family life and business responsibilities. 

Lynn Malone: Work schedule, and stick to it. There are always emergencies and mishaps that blow up the schedule, but a schedule at least provides a basis for meaningful separation between work and personal time. 

NOLN: What are the biggest challenges for families wanting to work in the quick lube industry together? 

Shaw: The biggest challenge is balancing family relationships with business decisions. Knowing when to wear the "family hat" and when to wear the "work hat" can be difficult, but it is critical for long-term success. It's also important to hold everyone to the same standards, whether they are family members or not. Non-family employees can sometimes perceive favoritism if expectations and accountability are not applied consistently across the team. 

Malone: Develop a mentality that your personal relationship and work relationship are separate, and that conflicts encountered in the work environment do not impact the personal relationship. In other words, whatever happens at work is never personal. 

NOLN: What is the biggest benefit of working alongside family members? 

Shaw: The greatest benefit is being able to share successes together. When the business grows, reaches milestones, or achieves new levels of success, those accomplishments feel even more meaningful because they were built as a family. It's also rewarding to watch each other develop professionally. In many ways, it's similar to watching a child take their first steps—you get to witness their growth, achievements, and progression firsthand. 

Malone: First, it's just fun; but secondly, the relationship between my son and me has deepened, and the trust level has grown in a way it never did before we worked together. My wife and I have been partners for 45 years, so it was an easy transition into the business world for the two of us—and our roles are clearly defined. I run operations, and she runs the books. 

NOLN: What is the biggest difference you see among new generations of your family entering the business? 

Shaw: At this point, our family members involved in the business are all within the same generation, so I haven't yet experienced multiple generations working together. However, I expect to gain a greater perspective on this in the coming years as our grandchildren enter the workforce and potentially become involved in the business. 

Malone: There are still some younger generations that have a strong work ethic. My wife and I are blessed that we have children who embraced a strong work ethic. Beyond that, the younger generation is much more comfortable in the information age and willing to embrace AI in the quick lube industry. 

NOLN: What advice would you give other families entering the quick lube industry? 

Shaw: My advice would be to communicate openly and establish clear expectations from the very beginning. Working with family can be incredibly rewarding, but it's important to define roles, respect each other's strengths, and remember that family relationships are more important than workplace disagreements.  

Set boundaries early, remain open-minded, and recognize that everyone brings unique talents and perspectives to the business. Most importantly, support one another's individual goals and aspirations, even if a family member chooses to pursue a different path outside the family business. 

Malone: Keep roles and expectations clearly defined, and always remember that whatever happens at work is never personal.