Louie and Chiara Riccelli share the mechanics behind an auto repair franchise—and how they lifted their business to new heights
By Georgie Binks
2025 may have been the Riccellis’ first year with Fix Auto, but Louie Riccelli was basically raised in the world of auto repair before joining the franchise. “I grew up in the family body shop and worked from a young age at my original location in Vaughan, called North Seven Auto Body,” he says.
North Seven Auto Body has been in business since 1972, founded by Louie’s father, Elio Riccelli, and is still going strong. But that didn’t mean things couldn’t be improved. After acquiring a second location, York Mills Automotive, he and his wife Chiara joined Fix Network under the Fix Auto banner as franchisees six months ago. The York Mills location is now called Fix Auto York Mills and NOVUS York Mills, while North Seven Auto Body is ProColor Vaughan Central.
Joining the network
The Fix Auto franchise system was founded in 1992, consolidating a previously fragmented collision repair industry and uniting shop owners who were passionate about operating futuristic collision centres. Fix Auto has become one of the largest collision repair brands globally, and is part of the Fix Network, a family of brands that includes NOVUS Glass, ProColor Collision, and Speedy Auto Service as well.
Today, Fix Auto has locations in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, South Africa, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia, and the Middle East.
Franchisees under the Fix Auto brand experience the benefits of the overarching network while maintaining their independent operations. These benefits include enhanced insurer and parts vendor relationships, technical and training support, marketing resources, and streamlined operational processes.
Riccelli says he was drawn to the Fix Auto franchise for several reasons. “Being part of a larger community with continued support, having a big brother promoting you in the background, and getting involved with regular meetings and conferences to keep on top of the industry” is a huge benefit, he says. “The business has gone totally [towards] insurance referrals by performance—[not just by] personal relationships, like in the ‘old days.’”
Riccelli explains, “More and more insurers are relying on a one-contact point to manage their repair relationships for cost savings and ease of management. This allows constant exposure and communication to insurance partners about your business, which benefits both franchisee and franchisor.”
Becoming part of the franchise made it easier for the couple to operate and expand. Riccelli says, “Being part of a larger team allowed greater exposure, marketing and support in areas of tech, vendors, networking, and industry trends.”
Sparks fly
The franchise was a natural fit for Riccelli, who started managing the Vaughan location when he was 18. After working as the head mechanic and production and parts manager, he went to business school for an automotive marketing diploma and then to a trade college where he studied to be an auto technician. He also acquired his 310B license for the compulsory trade of Auto Body and Collision Damage Repair.
“I mainly used my experiences and knowledge in the industry,” he explains. “I was successful putting in place new procedures and modernizing my original location after I took it over from my father.” He also attended many external industry conferences and sat in on financial and production meetings with other shop owners from around the country to see what worked well for them. “I gathered lots of knowledge and then slowly implemented what would work best in my shop. Once I took over the second location, I basically transferred the same procedures over from my first location and [the staff] embraced them and took off.”
Riccelli says the change in operating two shops went well because of his extensive experience in the industry. “The new staff all welcomed me and accepted the new procedural changes I brought in, modernizing the complete facility and the operations. We are basically doing double the sales with two more added staff members.”
He adds, “Joining the franchise significantly increased my industry visibility and complemented the strong processes I already had in place. I came in as a high-performing shop, and the network amplified that success—adding new insurance partners and helping me organically grow my book of business through existing relationships.”
Riccelli also says his wife Chiara plays an integral role in operations, and has taken on management and accounting duties. “Without her, both locations would not operate successfully. She developed an affection for business and strong organizational skills from a young age. She is an extremely loyal and helpful person,” he says.
“I recognized that early on in our relationship and brought her on to work for the business one year after we first started dating. We’ve been together for 25 years.”
Riccelli also credits his minority partner, Bav Mehan, for his success. Mehan started with Riccelli’s business three years ago, and is now the general manager and minority partner of the York Mills location. “In a year and a half, he’s still going strong and oversees a successful operation. He absorbed all my experience, learned quickly, and respects what I accomplished in my business career.”
For Riccelli, the first year owning the franchise has gone smoothly because of his experience and success in the industry, although he admits there were challenges. “The main challenge was getting employees to believe in the franchise model and training them in the new procedures, along with added duties and onboarding the management software program.”
Initial training with the franchisor involved learning the software management program and the ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System) calibration, equipment purchased through the franchise supplier.
Driving onwards and upwards
Riccelli is already looking ahead at what’s next for the business, and plans to add additional OEM certifications and grow the ADAS calibration business. He also plans to invest in the training and equipment required to be certified to work on higher-end luxury model vehicles which will give them more insurance referrals.
One of the most rewarding aspects to the franchise, says Riccelli, was hiring an in-house full-time social media manager and creator. “It has helped greatly keep the staff entertained, proud, and engaged in the quality of their jobs and where they work. They look forward to seeing the final results in the ads, posts, and reactions.”
Riccelli says he loves being a franchisee with Fix Auto: “Being part of a larger entity and the support received by all members of the franchise corporation. There are articles and recognition in major trade publications. We’ve also been introduced to insurance partners that I was not aligned with previously.”
As far as reaching success with the franchise, Riccelli advises, “You need to research your market area and clientele, be able to make changes large and small, and be able to take direction from others, especially if you have an existing business.”
Learn more about franchising with Fix Auto
