The automotive repair and servicing company and tyre retailer has signed a franchise agreement with CDG-ONE, part of Segema S.p.A., a leading tyre distribution group in Italy.

Unlike Kwik Fit’s operations in the UK and the Netherlands where all the centres are company-owned with no franchising, the Italian centres will all be franchises. Under the agreement, CDG-ONE has a license to exclusively operate the Kwik Fit brand and concept in Italy for at least 10 years.

CDG-ONE plans to build a network of more than 200 centres under the Kwik Fit brand by 2026. It is inviting existing independent tyre dealers and garages who meet the criteria to join the network and convert their operations to become Kwik Fit branded centres.

CDG-ONE will oversee the management and operation of all the service centres in Italy. Kwik Fit will provide access to training, including use of its UK training academies, and support in areas including operational procedures, marketing and technology. The two companies will also work together to ensure that the enlarged network can take advantage of the additional purchasing power its scale brings.

The Kwik Fit centres in Italy will look like and operate on the same principles as those in the UK and will also benefit from the Kwik Fit European Guarantee – any work carried out by a Kwik Fit in one European country is automatically guaranteed in any Kwik Fit across Europe.

However, there is scope for different formats within the agreement, from centres offering just tyre replacement and wheel alignment services to the full range of services provided by UK centres, such as servicing, brake replacement and air conditioning.

Kenji Murai, chief executive of Kwik Fit, said: “This partnership is a significant step in further developing Kwik Fit outside the UK as we believe the Italian market holds great potential for our brand. CDG-ONE is a proven expert in the automotive aftermarket sector in Italy and is well respected as a successful operator. It is the ideal partner for us as it develops a retail presence in the Italian market. We are confident that CDG-ONE will deliver the Kwik Fit network in Italy enabling Italian motorists to benefit from the fast, efficient and value for money service that customers in the UK, the Netherlands and Hungary already know.”