Opening a Second Auto Shop? Why Two Might Be the Worst Number

For many shop owners, the idea of opening a second location is exciting.
You picture more bays, more revenue, and maybe even more freedom.

But the truth?

Two shops might be the most dangerous number in business.

You’re not small enough to manage things easily…
But not big enough to afford the help you’ll need.

Before you sign a lease or scout a building, here’s what you need to know.

The Real Cost of Expansion

Most owners don’t realize this until it’s too late:

Two locations rarely produce enough profit to support the owner and a full-time general manager or operations manager.

That means one of two things happens:

• You cut your own pay to afford help
• You try to manage both shops yourself and get burned out

Instead of freedom, you’ve created two full-time jobs… with no time off.

Distance Doesn’t Make It Easier

Some shop owners think, “If I open the second shop nearby, it’ll be easier.”
Others assume, “If I go far enough, I’ll be forced to run it like a business.”

Here’s how it really plays out:

0–30 Minutes Away (Same Town)

• You’re constantly bouncing between two teams
• You become the “fire chief” putting out problems all day
• Culture and systems start to drift

30–90 Minutes Away

• Too far to drop in easily, close enough to feel responsible
• You spend more time on the road than in leadership
• Gaps in communication and accountability widen

2+ Hours Away

• You must lead through systems, scoreboards, and managers
• You’ll need a second version of you on site
• Most owners aren’t operationally ready for this leap

Bottom line:

Distance adds complexity, but dependence is the real problem.
If your first shop still relies on you daily, your second one will too.

The Two-Shop Trap

With one shop, you’re hands-on and in control.
With three, you can afford a GM and leadership team.
But with two? You’re stuck in the middle.

You’re doing more, with more people, across more locations, without the margin or structure to support it.

This is the no-man’s land of ownership:

• You become the bottleneck at both locations
• Your family time disappears
• Your team starts to feel the stress
• You wonder if this was worth it

Growth isn’t bad. But poorly timed growth is expensive.

The Choice Most Owners Miss

Here’s what shop owners need to hear:

You don’t have to open a second shop.

A single location—run at peak performance—can deliver:

• A healthy profit
• A strong culture
• A business that’s manageable, enjoyable, and eventually sellable
• And most importantly, work-life fulfillment

Real freedom isn’t in more locations. It’s with less reliance on you.

If you do choose to expand, the first shop must still become your prototype:

• Systematized
• Profitable
• Able to run without you in the daily decisions

That’s how you earn the right to scale, if you choose to.

The Two-Week Test

Ask yourself:

If I walked away from my current shop for two weeks, no calls, no texts, what would fall apart? Then try a month.

That’s your to-do list before opening a second location.

Final Thought

You have a choice.

One location done right can give you the lifestyle, income, and legacy you imagined when you started.

And if you want more, start by making the first one your prototype, not your prison.
That’s what makes any next step… a smart one. Build a business that is profitable, sustainable and enjoyable.

Maryann Croce is a shop owner and business coach who helps single-location auto shop owners create profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable businesses. Her 3-Day Weekends System helps shop owners reclaim 10+ hours a week by learning to manage smarter, delegate with confidence, and lead with clarity. Learn more at smallbizvantage.com.