Business Focus: Kwik Kar Lube and Tune

Kwik Kar Lube and Tune has been a fixture in the community of Willis for the last 12 years. Established in 2003, it is conveniently located at 808 West Montgomery Street (FM 1097) less than a block from Interstate 45 and is the perfect place for all your vehicle’s routine maintenance needs. Kwik Kar provides service to all makes and models of vehicles, and recently extended services to include diesel engines. With a focus on customer satisfaction, Kwik Kar Lube and Tune provides full service oil changes, state inspections, tire rotations, and engine tuning. Each full-service oil change comes with a courtesy service of having your car vacuumed and the windows washed.

Owners Steve and Sharon Burrow are long-time residents of Willis, having lived in the city for the last 17 years. When Steve retired from being an oilfield firefighter, he wanted to open a business so he could work closer to home without the constant travel. He and wife Sharon purchased the Kwik Kar Lube and Tune in 2008. Sharon said of purchasing the business, “It was well-

Co-owner Sharon Burrow (right) with son Jarrett Barrow (left)

established, with a lot of customers—good customers—which is one of the things that attracted us to the business.” Their son Jarrett Burrow and daughter Brandi Green also work in the store, making it a true family-owned and locally-operated business. “Being family-owned gives Kwik Kar a personal touch when it comes to interacting with customers that a corporate-owned business just wouldn’t have.” says Sharon.

Since most of their services are done while you wait, Steve and Sharon have put a lot of focus and energy into making their business a comfortable place to be. There is a nice, clean waiting room stocked with plenty of refreshments and reading material, as well as a children’s play area. There is also a full-time cashier assigned to the waiting area to ensure customer comfort and satisfaction. Sharon says, “A lot of our customers are women, so we wanted to make it a relaxed and easy place to do business. Our lube techs offer a one-on-one review of services and explanation of manufacturer recommendations, which are also noted on the customer’s copy of invoice for reminder. The software program we use allows us to maintain vehicle history records within the shop and can be accessed to satisfy warranty needs, etc.”

Kwik Kar Lube and Tune of Willis maintains roughly 60-65 cars a day, with a record of 120. It is operated under the business model set up by Kwik Industries and has (on average) ten employees that consist of a cashier, courtesy technicians, lube technicians, state inspectors, and certified mechanics that are qualified to provide comprehensive oil change service and engine maintenance. Technicians are also required to complete ongoing training in order to keep up to date on engine repair. Kwik Kar now has an ASE certified mechanic technician that is specially trained in the maintenance of diesel engines.

According to Sharon, summer is the hardest time of year on a vehicle. “I don’t know if it’s the heat and having the air conditioning running all the time, or if people just take more road trips in the summer.” Sharon encourages people to keep up with their routine vehicle maintenance. “It is easier and cheaper in the long run to take care of your car than it is to have a breakdown.” She encourages customers to just walk-in to have their oil change and routine maintenance done. If you need an engine tune-up or in depth mechanical repairs, however, you are better served by scheduling an appointment.

Another amenity provided by Kwik Kar of Willis is the recent addition of U-HAUL rentals. If you are moving, Kwik Kar can help provide the exact sized moving truck or enclosed cargo trailer just right for you, along with utility and furniture dollies. There are also moving supplies such as boxes and packing material available for purchase to meet all your moving needs.

In their years of doing business in Willis, Steve and Sharon have seen the city grow and expand. “Our business is growing with Willis. We offer local and national fleet for businesses, and we enjoy having a lot of repeat customers.” Steve and Sharon feel their business offers competitive pricing with more services than their competitors. Being privately-owned by local residents, Kwik Kar provides friendly service with a personal touch. Customer satisfaction is their number one priority, so the next time your vehicle needs to be serviced, take it to 808 West Montgomery Street in Willis or call to schedule as appointment at (936) 890-4707. You can also visit their website.