Owners: Bobby and Diana Cutchins
Location: 1381 Armory Drive, Franklin
Phone: 757.569.9662
Website: www.bobbystires.com
One of the top five tire dealers in the United States, as ranked by Tire Review Magazine’s “Top Shop Awards for 2008,” is located in our own Franklin, Virginia. But to Bobby Cutchins, who co-owns the shop with his wife, Diana, awards are far less important than making sure their customers get the best products and services possible.
Part of Bobby’s plan to provide superior service is the fact that they have a lot to offer under one roof, including tire and wheel sales, alignments, brakes, quick lubes and exhaust systems. The other part of the plan is having quality employees and playing upon their strengths.
“We basically have five businesses under one roof and our business plan calls for putting our top tire techs in their proper slots,” says Bobby. “Our best quick lube techs are in these slots and the same goes for each of our remaining three businesses. That means everyone here is a specialist and every one of our specialists is charged with updating our customers on the latest technology. Customers want to know what’s happening with their vehicles, so we make communication a top priority. Our job is to talk with them. If the problem turns out to be more severe than first imagined, we want to give them every option to allow us to resolve the problem for them.”
Of course, it helps to operate a smoothly running machine when six members of Bobby’s team are family, including wife, Diana, son, Robby, daughter, Tonya, brothers-in-law, Scott and Greg (who has been with Bobby for over 19 years). It also helps that most of his well-trained service techs have been part of the Bobby’s Muffler & Tire operation for at least 15 years.
Having reliable financial backing has also been critical, which is why Bobby is a Bronco member. “Bob Petty and others have been customers of mine probably since I started business,” he says. “I got to know all of them and after a few years, they asked if I would considering giving them an opportunity to look over things and I did. My sister-in-law, Pam Lease (Director of Real Estate Services) also works at Bronco and it just gives me a good feeling to be working with people I know and trust.”
Bobby continues, “The folks at Bronco have been really good to me and they’ve been good about giving us opportunities, like financing custom wheels for our customers. My brother-in-law and I also own a small car lot next door and Bronco does some vehicle financing for us there. So it’s been a good opportunity for both of us to reach out and grow, keeping things in the community and working together.”
Bobby prides himself on providing prompt service for his customers and he likes that Bronco takes the same approach. “Bronco always goes above and beyond to provide great service. If I call and ask for anything, I get a response immediately. My wife, Diana, does all the bookkeeping for our business and if she needs anything from Bronco, she doesn’t need to wait for an answer.”
Bobby’s Muffler & Tire Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. Appointments are appreciated, but walk-ins are welcome. If your vehicle needs service, stop in and find out why they say, “Once you try us, we’re sure you’ll be back for more!”
