When and how did the Earnhardt Auto Dealership begin?
The business started back in 1951 when Tex Earnhardt was twenty years old. His father, Hal Earnhardt Sr,. started a small gas station downtown. The service station provided a small income for his family by selling gas and auto parts. Tex wanted to expand his business to sell automobiles, but the factories in Detroit refused to ship the vehicles without expensive transportation costs. Tex went to work and immediately found a solution! He and a friend decided to drive to Detroit, buy a car from the factory, drive both vehicles back to Chandler, and sell the new car. When factory officials saw how dedicated and strong his work ethic was, Ford Motor Company awarded Tex his own franchise in September of 1951. To this date, Tex holds the record for the youngest franchisee in the history of Ford. And, 72 years later that one dealership has turned into 17.
What can you attribute the success of Earnhardt to?
Success is like a great dinner; something that has come together from a recipe of many important ingredients. Earnhardt Auto Centers and the dealerships comes from the heart and work ethic of the founder, Tex Earnhardt. It comes from generations of a family committed to the vision. It comes from thousands of incredible employees that care for the company and the fantastic product and manufacturers that Earnhardt represents. It especially comes from the loyalty and faith of Earnhardt customers over the last 72 years.
What are the benefits of a family run business?
It’s created a culture of high retention where in many cases, employees spend the vast majority of their career working for Earnhardt. It’s common to see one of Earnhardt’s 2,000+ employees celebrating their 10th, 20th, 30th …even 40th anniversary with the company.
What are some of the ties the Earnhardt family have to Queen Creek?
Members of the Earnhardt Family have resided in the Queen Creek area since well-before it was a Town. For over 40 years, the Earnhardt Family has been building roots in the Queen Creek area…with many Earnhardts attending either elementary, middle or high school in the area.
What charities or organizations do you support locally?
Earnhardt supports dozens of local charities, schools, and philanthropic initiatives. Tex Earnhardt (the company’s founder) instilled a culture of “giving back” and “supporting local” in both his family and company culture; something the Earnhardt Family and Earnhardt businesses hold dear and continue to do, today.
What are some family holiday traditions the family love to do every year?
1. Family gathers for dinner on Christmas Eve
2. Give Turkeys to all Earnhardt employees for Thanksgiving
3. Cowboy boots as gifts for all the kids
What will the Earnhardt dealership be planning for customers this Christmas?
Our Earnhardt Queen Creek Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM dealership puts on a Winter Wonderland for our amazing customers! It is a place for everyone to come together and take free family photos with Santa, enjoy treats, take a ride on our holiday train and more! It’s traditions like this that Earnhardt Chevrolet is eager to join in on when it moves to its new home in Queek Creek!
earnhardtford.com