HORSHAM, Pa. — Despite a persistent recession, AAMCO, an automotive repair franchise with more than 800 service centers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, has reported an increase in fourth quarter year-over-year revenues from the sale of new and existing centers by more than 35 percent. The automotive repair franchise currently has more than 800 service centers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico,

In addition to continuing its upward trend in franchise development, Entrepreneur magazine recently ranked AAMCO as the No. 1 franchise opportunity in transmission repair services and in the top 12 percent of all 500 franchise opportunities the magazine ranks. AAMCO has ranked No. 1 in the transmission repair category for 28 out of the past 30 years. In the past few years, the brand has expanded its total car care service offering to supplement its existing expertise in transmission repair, further strengthening and accelerating its position as a leader in automotive repair franchising.

"We’re wrapping up a strong year of growth for AAMCO and preparing for an even bigger year in 2011," said AAMCO CEO Marc Graham. "We saw significant sales increases in our total care car services yet again in 2010 and expect that trend to continue this year."

Spearheading AAMCO’s growth is the brand’s recently appointed vice president of sales and development, Curt Hapward. As a leader on the AAMCO team, Hapward brings a packed resume and proven track record of success, the company notes.

Before joining AAMCO, he held various positions such as vice president at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, president at DCAP Management Corp. and vice president of development at Sylvan Learning. A Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), Hapward will bring his keen leadership skills and successful history of development to maximize AAMCO’s expansion in the growing $208 billion car care industry.

"I see incredible opportunities for the AAMCO brand for new development in underpenetrated markets across the U.S. and abroad," said Hapward. "In the last quarter, we saw an upward trend in revenue resulting from the sale of new and existing franchise centers. I expect this trend to continue in 2011 and beyond."

"It’s a true honor to be ranked in the Franchise 500," said Graham, "but don’t think it means we’re going to slow down. We want to continue our expansion and move higher in the list in 2011."

In addition to ranking in the Entrepreneur 500, AAMCO was recognized as one of the Top 50 franchises for veterans by VetFran, a franchise opportunities portal of the International Franchise Association. Qualifying veterans can receive up to $8,000 off the standard initial franchise fee from AAMCO. AAMCO was also recently highlighted as one of the "Top 20 Franchises to Start," by Forbes.com.

AAMCO said it plans to carry its momentum from a strong fourth quarter into 2011 with an aggressive, targeted growth strategy. Plans for future growth center on key markets including New York, Detroit, California, Chicago, Atlanta and Texas, the company said.

Entrepreneurs interested in franchise opportunities in the automotive industry can contact Curt Hapward at 800-292-8500 ext. 296.