| Oil Can Henry's | |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Foundation: | 1972 (Portland, Oregon) |
| Location: | Tualatin, Oregon 45.3813°N -122.7713°W |
| Products: | Oil change, car maintenance |
| Parent: | Ashland Inc. |
| Homepage: | www.oilcanhenrys.com |
Oil Can Henry's was an oil-change shop based in Tualatin, Oregon, United States.[1] Prior to being bought by Ashland Inc. in 2015, the company operated as a franchisor, and had locations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Arizona, Colorado and Minnesota.[1] After the acquisition, the shops were re-branded as Valvoline Instant Oil Change locations.
One feature of these shops was that they did not have waiting rooms; instead, customers watched the service from their car using a monitor that displayed live video from cameras placed around the car, and were also given a free newspaper to read (either local or USA Today).[2] Employees were known for their uniforms that feature a bow tie and a newsboy cap.[3] The company motto was "The One You Can Trust".[3]
Oil Can Henry's was founded in 1978 by Marshall Stevens, a Tigard, Oregon, real estate developer.[4] In 1988, the Shepanek family and friends purchased the company for $340,000, while Stevens continued to own franchises.[4] Then named OCH International, the company began selling franchises in 1989.[5] Sales at the company grew to $15 million in 1996.[4]
The company was the nation's 18th largest oil change company in 1997.[4] That year Oil Can Henry's signed a deal with Valvoline that included loan guarantees, payments to franchisees to help cover start-up costs, and a discount on oil.[4] By April 2007, the company had grown to 67 locations, with ten of those as company-owned shops.[5] Stevens had to sell 12 of 14 of his locations in 1991 due to financial problems.[4]
Oil Can Henry's and its customers donated a total of $71,000 to the National Military Family Association in late 2014.[6]
Oil Can Henry's and its franchisees donated $91,000 to the National Military Family Association in November, 2015.[7]
OCH International sold to Ashland Inc. on December 11, 2015, which also owns the Valvoline brand.[8]
The company had locations in six different western states: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Arizona, and Colorado, with the majority of the shops located in Oregon and Washington. Oil Can Henry's also offered a variety of other vehicle maintenance services in addition to oil changes.
The original store location in Tigard is called "Gearhart's Lubricatorium," featuring Steampunk-style gear-operated oil dispensers adorned with velvet and brass, based around the organization's fictional founder, "Henry Gearhart."