Ziebart Bets on Growth: Tech, Values, and Franchise Success on Display

TROY, Mich. – March 31, 2026 – Against the glittering backdrop of Las Vegas, Ziebart, the long-standing global leader in vehicle protection, recently gathered its franchise network under the banner "Double Down on Success." The conference was more than a celebration of record-breaking performance; it was a showcase of the company's dual strategy for dominance in the evolving automotive aftermarket: a deep investment in its people and culture, paired with an aggressive push into new technology and strategic partnerships.

The event honored top performers, unveiled significant technological advancements, and underscored the robust health of a franchise system that boasts remarkable longevity and high satisfaction among its owner-operators.

The Heart of the Brand: Celebrating Culture Over KPIs

While sales figures and performance metrics filled much of the agenda, one of the most resonant moments came with the presentation of a brand-new honor: the "Heart of Ziebart Award." This award was specifically created to recognize an individual who embodies the company's core values—collaboration, support, and a commitment to the franchise family—above and beyond traditional key performance indicators.

The inaugural award was presented to Zach Mattiacio, Chief Financial Officer of The Mattiacio Group, Ziebart's largest franchise operator. According to the company, the award celebrates someone who "inspires others across the franchise system, is always willing to lend a helping hand, brings people together, and exemplifies the values at the core of Ziebart."

"Success at Ziebart has always been about more than performance metrics alone," said Thomas A. Wolfe, President & Chief Executive Officer of Ziebart, in a statement. "The Heart of Ziebart Award was created to recognize someone who reflects the values of this brand in everything they do, and Zach is that person."

Though unable to attend, Mattiacio accepted the award via a pre-recorded video, a moment his siblings, who accepted on his behalf, described as deeply moving. "This brand is bigger than business… We are one Ziebart, one family, and I promise to continue doing whatever I can from wherever I am to build, protect, and strengthen the Ziebart brand," Mattiacio stated in his video message. This focus on a values-driven culture provides a crucial context for the company's impressive financial and operational achievements.

A Franchise Powerhouse Solidifies Its Lead

The Mattiacio Group's influence was felt throughout the awards ceremony. In addition to the "Heart of Ziebart" honor, the family-operated group swept the awards, taking home nine other accolades, including the coveted "Dealer of the Year" award. This recognition caps a monumental year for the group, which dramatically expanded its operations in July 2025.

In a move that highlighted the scalability of the Ziebart model, The Mattiacio Group acquired 17 Ziebart stores from The Harris Group, another long-standing operator. The acquisition instantly made them the largest franchisee in Ziebart's U.S. network, growing their portfolio to 26 locations across New York, Florida, Indiana, and Ohio, with another currently in development. This strategic expansion is a testament to the growth opportunities available within the Ziebart system, particularly for ambitious, multi-unit operators. The group's various locations were recognized for excellence in everything from customer experience and total sales to performance in specific product categories like Z-Gloss.

Forging the Future with Technology and Strategic Partnerships

While celebrating past successes, Ziebart's leadership made it clear they are focused on the future. The conference served as a platform to unveil two key initiatives designed to drive growth and enhance efficiency: the "iBart app" and the "Gold Shield Protection Program."

The upcoming iBart app represents the company's latest investment in digital transformation, a critical trend sweeping the automotive aftermarket. While specific details are still forthcoming, the app is aimed at elevating both the customer experience and the operational capabilities of franchise owners, promising a more streamlined, modern interface for interacting with the brand's services.

Simultaneously, the company is expanding its market reach through the Gold Shield Protection Program. This initiative formalizes and expands Ziebart's ability to partner with car dealerships, allowing them to offer Ziebart's trusted rust protection, paint protection, and other services directly to customers at the point of sale. This B2B strategy is a savvy move to capture a wider customer base and create new revenue streams for franchisees by integrating Ziebart's services directly into the vehicle purchasing process, a convenience that modern consumers increasingly expect.

The Bedrock of Success: A Thriving and Satisfied Franchise System

The success stories of franchisees like The Mattiacio Group and the ambitious new corporate initiatives are built on an exceptionally solid foundation. Independent data reveals a franchise system marked by high satisfaction and strong financial performance. According to Franchise Business Review, a leading market research firm, Ziebart consistently earns top marks from its own franchisees. Recent surveys show that 97% of Ziebart owners would recommend the franchise to others, and 94% enjoy operating their business—figures that are well above industry averages.

This high level of satisfaction is supported by robust unit-level economics. The average Ziebart location reportedly generates over $1 million in annual revenue, significantly outperforming the average for similar automotive franchises. Perhaps the most telling statistic is the average length of franchise ownership: an astonishing 26 years. This remarkable tenure speaks volumes about the long-term viability and profitability of the business model, which offers multiple revenue streams from detailing and window tinting to its world-renowned rustproofing.

The conference also celebrated this system-wide strength by recognizing dozens of other owners for their achievements in sales, customer service, and community involvement. Honorees like Shinkauto, Inc. of Warsaw, Indiana, named the 2025 Single Store Top Achiever, and NMC Lambie Services of Morgantown, West Virginia, which received awards for both outstanding customer and community service, demonstrate that excellence is a shared trait across the network. As Wolfe noted, "The successes we're celebrating is the result of franchisees and store leaders who continue to raise the bar." This collective drive, combined with a clear vision for the future, positions the 67-year-old brand for continued relevance and growth in the years to come.