After 50 years, Maaco’s culture continues to focus on people
As Maaco celebrates a special anniversary, a 30-year veteran of the brand shares how important people and culture are to Maaco’s impact
After 50 years in business, one would expect the business today to look a lot different than it did at the beginning. But, would you expect anything to remain the same after half a century?
“If there’s anything that’s been consistent in my time at Maaco, it’s the appreciation for people.” That’s Grace Makoid on the longstanding culture at Maaco.
For 30 years, Grace has been an integral part of the Maaco brand in a variety of roles: first, as Manager of Credit and Collections; then, Manager of Priority Resales and Senior Manager of Franchise Transactions. Today, she serves as Senior Director of Franchise Administration and Compliance. Across her roles with Maaco, Grace has been able to maintain one important connection - her relationships with franchise partners.
Founded in 1972 by Anthony Martino and Daniel Rhode, Maaco now operates more than 430 locations across the U.S. and Canada. At the heart of each location is the franchise owner - Grace refers to the community of franchise owners as the ‘Maaco family.”
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know them - I’ve heard about their kids, their grandkids, weddings, vacations,” she says. “The best feeling though is celebrating their successes with them.”
That company culture has always been evident at Maaco’s yearly conventions, a tradition that started to bring franchise owners from around the country for an in-person event.
“The conventions have always been about getting together once a year to share best practices, to get everyone on the same page, and to help each other's growing businesses,” Grace notes. “Then, over the course of the year, we continue to build that relationship, so much so, that you get really excited for the next convention and to see them in-person again.”
The overarching lesson that’s permeated every in-person meeting or convention?
“The emphasis from our leadership team has always been: ‘We have to do whatever we can to make our franchise owners as successful as possible,’” she states.
Leadership, marketing, and operations have always been critical components of franchise success. Grace proudly acknowledges that Maaco’s operations team is best in the business.
The hands-on approach of the operations team has supported franchise owners through success - and challenges. A franchise owner passed away unexpectedly - his daughter, his only heir, lived in another state and wanted to close her father’s business. Maaco sent a team to run the location and help her find an owner for the business. “We told her, ‘your family built this business for 46 years - let’s try to keep the legacy alive.”
With a company culture that believes so strongly in people, legacy is an important part of Maaco’s culture, as well. Legacy can mean passing the business down in a family - or the deep connection and relationship between franchise owners and their support staff. “There are really good and positive things that go on between franchise owners and their teams - those connections change people and careers forever.”
As Maaco proudly celebrates 50 years and moves forward into the next era of business, is there one personality trait that’s true among today’s franchise owners?
“They’re driven and competitive with each other, but, more so, with themselves and their previous results,” Grace notes. “More importantly though, they’re incredibly invested in their communities - whether it’s organizing a charity event or taking care of the families they take care of daily. It’s that energy that’s built Maaco to what it is today.”