Costa Oil - 10 Minute Oil Change Names Franchisee of the Year at Conference
Costa Oil - 10 Minute Oil Change named its 2024 Franchisee of the Year at its Franchise Convention held last month, according to a press release.
In attendance at the event were founder and CEO Costa Kapothanasis and his family, franchisees, and key vendors. Representatives from brand partners, including Chevron, Service Champ, Solid Start, JBS Management Group, and Square were also there.
Anthony LaVopa, US Navy Commander and founder of LaVopa Maritime, was a keynote speaker at the conference, sharing advice on how to build and manage high performing teams.
For the first time, the company named a Franchisee of the Year: Mitch Urbytes, owner and operator of Costa Oil – 10 Minute Oil Change in Holland, Michigan.
First opening in September 2022, the store was one of the first Costa Oil franchise locations to open, and has since proven to be a consistent top performer, having garnered a 5-star Google rating and nearly 700 reviews.
Urbytes, a member of the Costa Oil Franchise Committee, was also awarded with the Costa Oil Brand Ambassador Award at the conference.
“In addition to being able to share the 'Costa Difference' with our West Michigan community, I'm also grateful for the opportunity to mentor the young people on our team in the art of treating our guests with kindness and respect while providing fair, honest and professional service,” said Urbytes.
Several other Costa Oil franchisees were awarded with titles at the event as well:
- Rookie of the Year: Holly Lavender of Parkville, Missouri
- Fleet Services and Community Involvement: Andy and Terrie Sullivan of Newton and Mt Pleasant, Iowa
- Business Growth: Rick Sawyer of Harrisonburg and Winchester, Virginia
- Customer Care: Jonathan and Katie Wilcox
- Innovation: Ralph Brand of Peachtree City, Georgia
- Community Engagement: Armand Duvio of Chalmette, Louisiana and Gulfport, Mississippi
- Community Marketing: Shawna Hanson and Mike Milligan of Palm Harbor, Florida
- Corporate Fleets: Keith Clonch of Toledo, Ohio
- Operational Efficiency: Ben Capelle of Perry and Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio
- Fastest Growing Franchise: BAXO Holdings of Spring, Texas
- Customer Loyalty: Ryan and Andrea Pierce of Mesa, Arizona
- Fast Service Times: Brandon Kammerzell of Eaton, Colorado
The company also took time to recognize the growth it’s achieved in franchise stores since its first one opened in 2022, now having 40—23 of which opened in 2024. Its entire network has performed nearly 250,000 oil changes, with 15 stores averaging 500-1,000 cars per month.
During the awards ceremony, Kapothanasis took the time to thank a number of corporate store employees for the work they’ve done to ensure the franchise system’s success.
