Taking It To The Streets

No matter how good or bad the economy is, a mobile oil-service operator is never hurting for work, says Sam Casternovia, co-owner of Oil Butler International Corp., a mobile oil-service franchisor based in Union, New Jersey.

"When the economy gets tough, people are adamant about getting oil changes on time so they can preserve their vehicles; and when the economy is good, they want to make sure to take care of their new cars," he says. "If the oil service comes to them, even better."

Entrepreneurs who are willing to brave the outdoor elements and work hard can make a good living in this business, according to Casternovia, who says one motivated Oil Butler franchisee reached sales of $90,000 his first year in business. The average oil change takes just seven to 15 minutes and earns the operator between $23 and $25, minus $6 or $7 for materials. Although it can be profitable to service single cars, the most money is made servicing fleets.

Casternovia and his partner, Dominic Lege, franchised their concept in 1990 and began creating oil trailers complete with the equipment necessary for oil changing, including steel oil tanks. The least expensive model costs about $6,500, and, for a $7,000 franchise fee, Oil Butler provides a protected territory and a week or more of training.

Contact Sources

1-800-CHUTE-ME, 167 Fairfield Rd., Fairfield, NJ 07004, (800) CHUTE-ME

Critical Care Mobile Detailing, 1747 S. Douglass, Ste. G, Anaheim, CA 92806, (714) 997-2825

Dryclean Express of Jacksonville, 2160 University Blvd. N., Jacksonville, FL 32211, (904) 745-5010

Oil Butler International Corp., 1599 Rte. 22, Union, NJ 07083, (908) 687-3283

This article was originally published in the August 1997 print edition of Entrepreneur with the headline: Taking It To The Streets.