Local – Honest – Professional

 

These aren’t just words on paper, this defines our growing company.  

 

In December of 2021, Will and Bernadette Helton purchased University Auto and Tire.  Exactly two years later, they purchased both Grease Pig Lube and Tune locations.  With 3 shops in Fayetteville, AR and over 50 employees, our company is focused on being the next home-grown success story!  

 

Since 1973, University Auto has been the place of choice for Fayetteville residents when it comes to trustworthy auto repair.  The Grease Pig was founded over 23 years ago and has been voted the #1 “Best of the Best” oil change shop for multiple years running.  For decades, our customers have appreciated knowing that they will be treated the right way by familiar faces.  This will continue to be the standard under the new owners, the Heltons.  Our plan is to bring new technology, technical training, better products, best in class customer service, and innovation to our shops so we can provide the best service to our community.  

 

Will and Bernadette Helton both grew up in Arkansas.  Will graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2002 earning a degree from the Sam Walton College of Business.  He was heavily involved in the Center for Retailing Excellence, which helped begin his career in the automotive industry with a summer internship at Firestone Complete Auto Care.  Over his 16-year career at Firestone, he grew into an executive role, managed thousands of employees, moved 7 times, opened over 20 new locations, and led numerous strategic initiatives for the company.  In 2018, he transitioned to Midas International, where he was the leader of Midas, a global franchise automotive company with over 2,200 locations worldwide.  Over his career at Midas, he would build lasting relationships with its franchisee base, lead the company through several strategic initiatives to strengthen the brand, and navigate the company through the COVID pandemic.  The one goal Will always had but never felt was a real option was to own his own business independently.  “If you can do it for them, you can do it for yourself” his friend would always say.  In 2021, that goal became a reality, and we are thrilled to grow our locally owned business – doing it the right way!  

 

Coincidentally, Bernadette’s first job was at a local tire shop in Conway, AR.  She is a University of Central Arkansas graduate, majoring in Early Childhood Education.  Her teaching experience is in Texas Public Schools but eventually left the formal classroom to stay home with their two sons full time. These two boys were raised Hog Fans, even in the heart of Texas. They were thrilled with each sighting of a Razorback bumper sticker.  The kids would yell “Hey that’s a Hog fan!” Every year, the family returned to Fayetteville for Razorback football games, camps, and baseball games.  It was always a dream to come back home to Northwest Arkansas.

 

Our commitment to you, is that when you choose our company for your automotive repair, maintenance, or tire needs…that you will be treated the right way and your vehicle will be repaired safely and to the highest standards.  We sincerely appreciate your business!