Fourth-generation owner Max Blatt of Blatt Tire and Automotive shares how he took over the family shop in Center City Philadelphia, modernized operations, and is plotting new ventures like mobile tire service—all while balancing customer trust, employee loyalty, and his dad’s legacy.
Guests:
Max Blatt — Blatt Tire and Automotive — Philadelphia, PA
What you’ll learn (shop-owner takeaways):
Balancing tires vs. repair revenue streams
Why speed + inventory win in the city
Mobile tire service business model and margins
Managing legacy employees and loyalty
Transitioning from paper to AutoLeap software
How reviews build (or erode) trust
Using murals and history in marketing
Cash vs. card fee debates in 2025
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro & Philly roots
01:10 – Shop history & 4th generation story
02:30 – Dad retires but still calls daily
04:00 – Tire vs. repair split explained
05:20 – Why mobile tire service is next
07:00 – Customer conflict story in Philly
09:00 – “Blackmobile” idea for mobile tires
11:15 – Parallels with Netflix’s Tires show
15:00 – Transitioning from paper to digital
16:30 – Struggles with DVIs and AutoLeap
19:00 – Managing techs: results vs micromanage
21:00 – 50+ year employee loyalty stories
22:20 – Building customer trust over decades
23:30 – Review battles & fake 1-stars
27:30 – Vetting coaches by calling shops
30:00 – ROI fears: coaching vs marketing
32:00 – Fixing outdated websites & SEO
34:00 – Philly mural as hero image
38:00 – Coffee shop side hustle idea
40:30 – Taking over after medical emergency
42:00 – Learning by doing: tires, counter, delivery
43:30 – Plans for DVIs & customer education
44:30 – Competitors in Center City footprint
46:00 – Customer logistics: Uber, waiting, rides
48:00 – Could concierge Uber service work?
49:30 – Shop pride, murals, and trust
53:00 – How GGP episodes help shop owners
56:00 – Credit card fee debate
58:00 – Cashless vs cash discounts
1:00:00 – Wrap & sponsor message
Call-to-Actions
Got questions? Comment or post in the FB group—guests will chime in.
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Links
Listen on Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/garagegrit
Join the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/forautorepairshopowners/
Learn more: https://aashopmarketing.com
Keywords
auto repair shop growth, Philadelphia tire shop, mobile tire service, hiring technicians, employee loyalty, DVI best practices, AutoLeap software, customer trust, online reviews for shops, shop marketing, shop murals, family succession, cash vs card fees, credit card surcharges, Google reviews management, fleet tire accounts, shop operations Philadelphia, small business marketing auto repair, fourth generation shop owner, customer concierge ideas