CARSTAR adds two Houston shops to its network

Cheryl Perdue, a 25-year veteran of the auto body repair business, runs the CSI CARSTAR shop, which has been family owned and operated since its founding in 1983. Her husband Trey is the general manager.

“By becoming part of CARSTAR, we maintain our independence but are now part of the nation’s largest MSO, which will impact us from a competitive standpoint,” said Trey Perdue. “We also looked at the whole package of what CARSTAR can bring to the table for us: better pricing through their buying power, corporate rebates, operational and marketing support and insurance relationships as well as the opportunity to join a growing brand not just in the Houston market but on a national scale, as well.”

Martin Russell, who owns Pinnacle CARSTAR Auto Body, also looks forward to the economic and marketing advantages of being associated with CARSTAR. He has been active in the industry for 20 years.

“My business is growing to a point where I need assistance in managing growth,” Russell said. “The operational and organizational support I will get from CARSTAR will help me streamline my business. I am also looking at this as an exit strategy. I know being part of the national CARSTAR brand will bring more value to my business when I do decide to sell. The fact that I have marketing and operational support, buying power, DRPs and marketing will be very beneficial in the valuation of my business.

With the addition of CSI CARSTAR and Pinnacle CARSTAR Auto Body, CARSTAR has six locations in the Houston area and a total of eight within a 45-mile distance of the city. CARSTAR has about 400 franchised stores in 31 states and 10 Canadian provinces.