Franchisee of Costa Oil in Newton recognized for top performance

At first glance it looks like Andy and Terrie Sullivan won a title match in the UFC octagon or a championship fight on SmackDown.

You would be forgiven for thinking that after taking a look at their new, gold-plated belt. While they have certainly invested blood, sweat and tears into their jobs, the husband-and-wife team did not earn their Franchisee of the Year belt through knockouts or takedowns. Rather, it was their dedication to the Costa Oil vision.

The Sullivans own three Costa Oil locations in Iowa. The Newton office was the first to open in September 2023. Since then they have launched a location in Mt. Pleasant and another in Marion. The Franchisee of the Year belt was presented to Andy and Terrie during a conference this past fall in Maryland.

Costa Oil specializes in a 10-minute, stay-in-your-car oil change, and there are currently 74 franchises across the United States. Andy suggested the Newton location is consistently punching above its weight, even when compared to more populated areas and bigger markets with Costa Oil franchises.

“There are stores in Chicago, Pittsburgh, San Antonio, Mesa — and Newton is in the top 10 every week and every month,” Andy said. “We’re real close with the COO of Costa Oil, and he said you can’t believe the number of franchises that call and go, ‘What’s the silver bullet that they’re doing in Newton?’”

The secret? That silver bullet? Andy said he and Terrie care and are involved in their stores, and they are involved in their communities.

“Those things play a big part,” Andy said.

It also helps that Andy and Terrie believe in the brand Costa Oil represents. The company prides itself on delivering anxiety-free services with no upselling to customers. Andy points to Costa Oil’s reviews as proof of his franchises’ high level of customer service and positive experiences.

“With us being cheaper they have dollars to turn around and use here in town elsewhere,” Andy said. “It’s a win-win for Newton.”

He also credited the hard work of his employees, who not only are dishing out oil changes but educating customers and giving them feedback on their vehicles.

“They know the community and they do a fantastic job, and people like to come in and see them,” Andy said, noting his staff all live in Jasper County.

He recounted an experience at Costa Oil not long after it opened in Newton. An elderly woman came in to get an oil change and had a good experience. Two weeks later she had shoulder surgery and was going to have some ice cream, but she didn’t know how she would get the container open.

“She pulled in here and asked the guys to open up her ice cream for her, and she sat here and ate some ice cream with them,” Andy said. “She said, ‘You guys were so great to me and treated me so good, I knew that if I stopped in and asked you guys would do it.’ To me, that’s exactly what we’re trying to do.

“We want to leave an impression on people.”