autoshop-answers

AutoShop Answers Unveils 2026 Key2Key Training Calendar After a Record Year of Sold-Out Events

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 14:19:59 GMT

every 2025 program sold out, giving shop owners and industry leaders early access to the nation’s most in-demand auto hospitality training.

Building on the success of its flagship Key2Key programs and leadership education, the 2026 schedule introduces enhanced learning experiences such as:

AIX: AI Academy , Accounting 1st & Fraud Prevention , and Leadership Classes , along with the next level expanded Courtside training opportunities in new locations—including The Woodlands, Texas at Adams Automotive .

These updates continue Autoshop Answers' mission to help shop owners to improve profitability, and build scalable, high-performing teams.

2026 Autoshop Answers ��

Training Schedule

January

Jan 16 – AIX: AI Academy
Jan 17–18 – Key2Key Weekend
Jan 17–18 – Key2Key Courtside
(NEW Location: Adams Automotive – The Woodlands)

February

Feb 20 – Accounting 1st & Fraud Prevention (Getting ready for taxes)
Feb 21–22 – Key2Key Weekend
Feb 21–22 – Key2Key Courtside
(NEW Location: Adams Automotive – The Woodlands)

March

Mar 14–15 – 20 Group (PEER Group – Chicago – Bartels)
Mar 20 – Leadership Class
Mar 21–22 – Key2Key Weekend
Mar 21–22 – Key2Key Courtside
(NEW Location: The Woodlands, TX)

April

Apr 9–11 – TEKTONIC (Tekmetric Trade Show)
Apr 12 – Empire Builder with Adam Coffey (LIVE Event)
Apr 24 – AIX: AI Academy
Apr 25–26 – Key2Key Weekend
Apr 25–26 – Key2Key Courtside
(NEW Location: Adams Automotive – The Woodlands)

May

May 16–17 – Key2Key Weekend – Las Vegas
(Special Guest Appearance by Brad Lea)

June

Jun 19 – Leadership Class
Jun 20–21 – Key2Key Weekend
Jun 20–21 – Key2Key Courtside

July

Jul 17 – AIX: AI Academy
Jul 18–19 – Key2Key Weekend
Jul 18–19 – Key2Key Courtside

August

Aug 21 – Accounting 1st & Fraud Prevention
Aug 22–23 – Key2Key Weekend
Aug 22–23 – Key2Key Courtside

September

Sep 25 – Leadership Class
Sep 26–27 – Key2Key Weekend
Sep 26–27 – Key2Key Courtside

October

Oct 23 – Accounting 1st & Fraud Prevention
Oct 24–25 – Key2Key Weekend
Oct 24–25 – Key2Key Courtside

November

Nov 21–22 – Key2Key Weekend (Thanksgiving Edition)
Nov 21–22 – Key2Key Courtside

December

Dec 12–13 – Key2Key Weekend
Dec 12–13 – Key2Key Courtside (Santa Claus Visits)

Todd Hayes Launches Auto Shop Answers Training Company to Share the Blueprint of North America's Highest-Grossing Shop

Wed, 29 May 2024 19:24:15 GMT

New automotive training company formed after shop received 2023 Ratchet + Wrench ALLSTAR Award

HOUSTON, TX, USA, September 21, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- Todd Hayes, the man behind the meteoric rise of Adams Automotive to become the highest-grossing independent auto repair shop in North America, announces the launch of his new training company, Auto Shop Answers.

With over three decades of experience in the auto repair industry, Mr. Hayes partnered with Perry Adams to deploy his award-winning auto shop concept at Adams Automotive, driving the business to generate over $1 Million in monthly revenue and become the recipient of the 2023 Ratchet + Wrench Allstar award.

Hayes aims to share this groundbreaking blueprint through the Auto Shop Answers training program following this award-winning success. The company's mission is to serve business owners and their teams who are determined to be the best in their market and are willing to go all in.

An Industry-Transforming Blueprint

According to Todd Hayes, "Our goal is to share the blueprint for shop success with any shop interested in producing generational wealth." The company offers an in-depth course called "Key to Key to Callbacks," which demystifies the strategies that took Adams Automotive from a struggling shop to a recognized industry leader.

Award-Winning Approach

In addition to its commercial success, the educational platform behind Auto Shop Answers was recognized with an Addy Award, highlighting its innovation and excellence in online education.

About Todd Hayes

Todd Hayes is an accomplished entrepreneur, business leader, and media personality with over three decades of experience in the automotive industry.

Todd is currently the COO of seven successful repair shop locations with an impressive annual revenue of over 40 million dollars and an average GP of 62.5. Hayes has created an industry phenomenon, breaking records and setting new standards for success.

Course Registration and Details

Auto Shop Answers will conduct a monthly training program for owners of automotive repair shops and their sales teams beginning in October. Registration for "Key to Key to Callbacks" is now open. The course will take place on October 28-30 in Houston, Texas. For more details, visit https://www.autoshopanswers.com/

Patrick Egan

Auto Shop Answers

+1 805-403-3462

email us here

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How Auto Shop Answers will Change Your Life:

Autoshop Answers and Adams Automotive Conduct Training Program

Wed, 29 May 2024 19:09:40 GMT

Autoshop Answers partnered with Adams Automotive to conduct a sold-out training program that lasted nearly three days

Autoshop Answers partnered with Adams Automotive to conduct a sold-out training program that lasted nearly three days, according to a press release.

The program took place at Adams Automotive’s “World Class Service” Houston, Texas, shop and began with a tour of all four locations in Houston. At the end of the tour, attendees received training in the shop.

Topics discussed with attendees included “sales processes, speed of service, vehicle inspections, marketing tools and team building.” At the conclusion of the program, an extensive Q&A was held.

“The team is thrilled and their enthusiasm is at an all-time high,” Jeff Williams of Car Fix said about the event. “I am personally very excited to see what the future holds for us after this successful endeavor.”

The weekend of the program was reportedly the shop’s second busiest weekend ever. Adams Automotive COO Todd Hayes said he was excited about the turnout and is looking forward to the next event they have planned in May.

Answering the Call

Wed, 29 May 2024 19:05:00 GMT

Nearly four decades of monitoring phone calls has taught Todd Hayes how to give customers what they need.

“Man, I’ve got to tell you the truth. I’ve only got one tech in today, and you do not want him working on your brakes.”

Todd Hayes heard this while mystery shopping at auto repair shops gathering research to help his shop and others in the industry improve phone etiquette.

Scary isn’t it?

Hayes, the COO of the eight-unit $43 million per year Texas-based Adams Automotive, has heard it all–the good, the bad, and the ugly. He’s an expert on phone skills and wants to share his knowledge because he understands just how important that first call is.

“How you represent your company over the phone determines whether or not they’ll buy from you,” Hayes says.

Backstory:

Hayes met owner Perry Adams in the ‘90s while running Mobile Car Care. Once Hayes sold his auto repair chain, he joined Adams at Adams Automotive. Since joining the company, Hayes founded his own training company called Autoshop Answers.

Problem:

Hayes has been calling other shops to get intel on phone etiquette since 1986, and it’s always been an issue. He says most shops he calls are quick to say, no, meaning they’re unwilling to accommodate a customer's needs. For example, if a customer calls a shop looking to bring their car in at 4:45 p.m. and the shop closes at 5 p.m., the advisor will say no. Or, if they’re looking for help identifying an issue with their vehicle, the service advisor provides a technical description that's impossible for a layperson to understand. Basically, the initial phone call to the typical repair shop is extremely frustrating for customers.

Solution:

Hayes’ solution to this problem is simple. Just say, yes.

Ninety-five percent of the time, when a customer calls, they want to know one of two things: “What is it?” and “How much?” Hayes’ philosophy is that the best way to handle those questions is to get the customer to bring the car to the shop so you can help them more. Do they want to bring the car in? Let them!

“A customer will call and say, ‘I’m seeing something leaking from my vehicle.’ The advisor will say ‘What color is it? Why?’” Hayes says.

If something is leaking, no matter what the color, the car needs to be looked at, he explains.

Hayes adds that if a customer cannot bring the car in, they offer pickup and drop-off services.

At Adams Automotive, there’s a two-and-a-half-day onboarding program, which includes phone training. Autoshop Answers has a phone skills script that can easily be implemented at any shop. Every inbound and outbound phone call is recorded and during Adams Automotive’s morning meeting, called a “Take Five,” random phone calls are listened to, and the team reviews them and provides feedback.

Aftermath:

Hayes says that Adams Automotive has a staggering 95% close ratio.

“Our industry operates with decision fatigue instead of realizing every part of our business is very predictable,” Hayes says. “They’ll call and ask what it is and how much. Know how to answer that!”

Takeaway:

Hayes urges shop owners to start listening to phone calls.

“Listen to them. It will shock you how bad it is,” he says.

The industry, he says, is groomed to say no. People need to understand that it’s about the customer since they pay for everything and learn how to present this over the phone.

Phone Skills Script

A cheat sheet for getting your customer off the phone and into your shop

Customer: Calls the shop

Advisor: Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with today? (Check the phone number to see if the customer has visited before.)

Customer: Can you ___? Do you ___? Will you ___?

Advisor: Absolutely! Is now a good time to bring in your vehicle?

Customer: Asks for a price or diagnosis

Advisor: What type of concerns are you experiencing with your vehicle? Anytime you are experiencing ___________, you need to have that inspected by one of our ASE-certified trained technicians at no charge to you. We will provide you with a complete written estimate. Is now a good time to bring in your vehicle? Are you in the neighborhood?

Autoshop Answers Training Company Launches

Wed, 29 May 2024 19:00:06 GMT

Todd Hayes of Adams Automotive starts company to share the blueprint behind North America's highest-grossing independent auto repair shop

Leaning into his more than three decades of experience in independent auto repair, Todd Hayes of Adams Automotive in Houston, Texas, announced the launch of his new training company Autoshop Answers.

Hayes, the COO of Adams Automotive, who has overseen the meteoric rise of the shop to become the highest-grossing independent auto repair shop in North America, will partner with founder Perry Adams to deploy this award-winning auto shop concept, which generated over $1 million in monthly revenue to the shop.

The educational platform behind Auto Shop Answers was recognized with an Addy Award, highlighting its innovation and excellence in online education.

"Our goal is to share the blueprint for shop success with any shop interested in producing generational wealth." The company offers an in-depth course called 'Key to Key to Callbacks,' which demystifies the strategies that took Adams Automotive from a struggling shop to a recognized industry leader," Hayes said in a press release.

Autoshop Answers Names New President and Partner

Wed, 29 May 2024 18:57:02 GMT

Having led a 30-year career in the aftermarket industry, Todd Westerlund has been promoted to oversee Autoshop Answers and its other brands.

Automotive training company Autoshop Answers has announced Todd Westerlund as president and partner of Autoshop Answers and its family of businesses in a recent press release.

Having led a 30-year career in the aftermarket industry, Westerlund has been promoted to oversee Autoshop Answers and its other brands, which includes Auto Shop Callbacks, Auto Shop Recruiting, Auto Shop Coaching, Auto Tech Training, Auto Shop Media & Videos, and Auto Shop Image.

Autoshop Answers Founder and CEO Todd Hayes said the company is looking forward to the addition of Westerlund. Hayes credited him with having supported the company’s sales and business development initiatives.

“Autoshop Answers presents an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the automotive industry and change lives,” Westerlund stated. “I am excited to collaborate with the team leaders to deliver innovative training solutions that empower business owners and foster community growth.”