Galena Associates LLC, which now has 81 Valvoline Instant Oil Change franchise stores, recently acquired Expressway Lube Centers, a chain of 23 fast-lube service centers throughout Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island. Terms of the acquisition were undisclosed.
Expressway has great locations, and it fit right into our operating area, Galena Associates owner Mike Ferri told Lube Report. There will be a signage change, a name change, and all the products will all be changing over to Valvoline products. The acquisition was effective March 29, according to Ferri.
Expressway, a privately owned company based in Norwalk, Conn., tied for 27th in the 2007 list of top U.S. fast lubes published in the March issue of National Oil & Lube News. The company opened its first fast lubes location in White Plains, N.Y. in 1980.
Valvoline Instant Oil Change ranked third in NOLNs 2007 list, with 790 company-owned and franchised stores. According to NOLN, the company planned to open 40 additional stores by the end of this year, with an emphasis on expanding its franchised facilities while shrinking its company-owned store population. Galena Associates is Valvolines largest franchise holder, Ferri said.