Brian O'Shaughnessey never planned to own a business. He already knew and trusted Ziebart’s work from his years at a car dealership. One phone call later, he found a new career. Today, he runs Ziebart of Spokane, Washington, a shop that hasn't had a slow day since it opened.
A Phone Call That Turned Into a Career
As a parts director at a car dealership, Brian knew Ziebart’s reputation and the quality behind its protection services. When he picked up the phone to call Ziebart, he wasn’t thinking about business ownership.
But the conversation turned to owning a franchise. It wasn’t something Brian had ever planned on, but the idea kept coming back to him.
"It sat in the back of my head for about a month," he said. "I called them again, and within a year, I was quitting my job."
His confidence in Ziebart’s work made the leap easier. Brian had seen the results firsthand at the dealership, and he knew he could stand behind every service he’d offer.
In fact, he’d recommend them to his own mom and sisters. Could he say that about anything else he’d sold in his career? “Probably not,” he said.
Support That Shows Up in Person
Opening a store took real work, and Brian didn't do it alone. Jason and Dave from Ziebart's corporate team came out to Spokane and spent weeks helping him set up equipment and prepare the shop for opening day.
"I think support is an understatement," Brian said. "This is beyond advice and phone calls. This was physical, hands-on, working with me side by side till seven or eight o'clock at night."
That support didn't end once the doors opened. Even with a three-hour time difference, Brian could call headquarters in Michigan late at night and get a quick answer to a technical question.
That hands-on approach is part of how Ziebart prepares every new owner. The brand’s support program includes:
An 8-week training program with in-store experience and technical skill classes
Two weeks of in-person sales and leadership training at headquarters
Ongoing education and on-site guidance
From choosing a location to serving the first customer and beyond, Ziebart owners have a team behind them at every stage. For first-time owners like Brian, that guidance makes the path to ownership far less daunting.
"That's truly a partnership," Brian added.
A Happy Accident That Changed His Life
Brian hasn't had a slow day since opening. Enthusiastic customer reviews on Google and Yelp drive much of his business, and some customers travel two to four hours to reach his shop. His appointments are booked two to three weeks out.
"Owning a store is easier than I thought it would be, and it's a lot more enjoyable."
Customer reactions keep him going. Some hug him when they see their finished vehicle—some cry.
"I never got a hug when I fixed somebody's alternator," he said. "They appreciate what I did for them, and that's better than money."
Many Ziebart owners share a similar story. They didn't all plan on business ownership, but they found a proven system, a supportive team, and work they genuinely enjoy.
Find out what ownership could look like for you. Explore the Ziebart franchise opportunity today!
FAQs
Q: Do I need prior automotive or business experience to own a Ziebart franchise?
No prior automotive or business ownership experience is required. Ziebart’s training programs are designed for first-time owners and cover operations, sales, marketing, and business management.
Q: Is Ziebart a good franchise to invest in?
Ziebart has the track record many prospective owners look for: more than 67 years in business, 400+ locations, a $1.4 million average unit volume,* and #144 on the 2026 Entrepreneur Franchise 500 list.
Q. Does Ziebart offer multiple revenue streams to franchise owners?
Yes. Ziebart’s broad range of services and products allows franchise owners to build multiple revenue streams. This diversified service mix helps owners serve customers with different needs, reduce the impact of seasonality, and support more consistent cash flow year-round.
*This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a Franchise Disclosure Document filed with the referenced state, which filing does not constitute approval. Franchises will not be sold to any resident of any such jurisdiction until the offering has been exempted from the requirements of, or duly registered in and approved by, such jurisdiction and the required Franchise Disclosure Document has been delivered to the prospective franchisee before the sale in compliance with applicable law. The following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: CA, HI, IN, IL, MD, MI, MN, NY, ND, RI, SD, VA, WA and WI. If you reside in one of these states, you may have certain rights under applicable franchise laws. In New York, an offering can only be made by prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the Department of Law. Average Unit Volume of $1,414,150 is based on unaudited financial information as submitted by franchised and company/affiliate- owned stores operating from Jan 1, 2025, through December 1, 2025. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you'll earn as much. Written substantiation for the financial performance representation will be made available to the prospective franchisee upon reasonable request. See Item 19 of our FDD for further information.