Driven by Family, Fueled by Trust
For more than four decades, Beck Automotive has been more than just a repair shop along U.S. 31. It has become a trusted fixture in Franklin — a business built on honesty, hard work and family values that have carried through generations.
Today, owner Ben Briggeman continues the vision first established by his father, Herman Briggeman, who opened the Franklin location in November 1981 under the name Beck Muffler.
Originally located at 320 N. Morton St., the shop was the second Beck Muffler location operated by Herman and Lee Ann Briggeman, alongside their Southport business. The Franklin store was created through a partnership with Herman’s brother-in-law, Capt. Harry E. Jaynes of TWA Airlines.
Just a few years later, in 1984, the business moved to its current location on North Morton Street. At the time, the operation focused heavily on exhaust systems and undercar services, with four service bays and an outdoor heavy-truck lift serving the community’s growing automotive needs.
For Ben, the business has always been deeply personal.
“As the child of the owners, I grew up in the family business,” he says. “I was always expected to spend summers pushing a broom or taking out the trash.”
Some of his earliest memories involve spending time at the shop with his father, even while still in grade school. He laughs now remembering that he probably “caused more trouble than he was worth” during those early years, but one treasured keepsake still hangs in his office today — his very first paycheck.
Dated July 1, 1983, the check totaled $3.
“I was just about to turn 9 years old,” Ben says. “That was almost enough to buy a Star Wars or G.I. Joe action figure at that time.”
As he grew older, so did his responsibilities. During high school, he worked after school several days a week doing cleanup and running errands. After earning his driver’s license, he began picking up parts and delivering vehicles and customers. Throughout college, he continued working summers at the shop while taking on larger responsibilities.
Still, Ben originally imagined a very different future.
He pursued degrees in history and criminal justice with plans to eventually enter the legal field. But life changed dramatically in 2003 when his father passed away at age 77.
“At that point, I was recently married and about to become a father,” Ben says. “I made the decision to return to the family business to continue the family legacy that my father had started.”
For the past 23 years, Ben has served as president and co-owner alongside his wife, Heather, and his mother, Lee Ann Briggeman. Together, they have guided the company through major changes within the automotive industry while preserving the values the business was founded upon.
One of the largest shifts came as vehicle technology evolved. The widespread industry transition from cold-rolled steel exhaust systems to stainless steel dramatically reduced the demand for traditional exhaust replacement work — once the backbone of the business.
Rather than resisting change, Beck Automotive adapted.
Over time, the company expanded its services and transformed into a full-service repair facility capable of handling nearly every aspect of automotive care. The rebranding from Beck Muffler to Beck Automotive reflected that broader vision.
“By the early 2000s, we began to change to a more complete auto service facility,” Ben says. “The idea of a ‘one-stop shop’ for all service and repair needs was born.”
That commitment to growth has helped the business remain a trusted name in Franklin while earning recognition throughout the community, including being voted Best Garage by Daily Journal readers and becoming a AAA Approved Service Center.
But for Ben, reputation begins with something much simpler: honesty.
“I see Beck Automotive as a reflection of my family’s name — my father’s name,” he says. “To be successful, you must be 100 percent honest with your employees and your customers.”
That philosophy shapes every repair recommendation made by the shop’s technicians and sales staff.
“As a customer, you may not like what we tell you is wrong with your vehicle,” Ben says, “but you can trust that it is 100 percent true.”
Every vehicle receives a careful inspection, and customers are given the information they need to make informed decisions. The shop backs repairs with a two-year, 24,000-mile warranty and strives to complete most scheduled repairs within a single day — an important benefit for families, commuters and business fleets alike.
While technology and training remain essential parts of the industry, Ben believes the true strength of Beck Automotive comes from its people.
“The main challenge is hiring and keeping the best employees possible,” he says. “A business is nothing without the people that make it work.”
Today, Beck Automotive supports 19 families through its operations. Ben emphasizes creating a workplace culture built on respect and teamwork.
“We spend more time here than with our real families,” he says. “You don’t have to love each other, but you need to respect each other.”
Family continues to play a central role in the company’s future as well.
Ben credits his parents for instilling the values of sacrifice and hard work that continue to guide him today. He also points to the mentorship and support of his brother, who owns Beck Service Center in Southport.
Now, the next generation is beginning to step into the business. Ben’s daughter, Bailey, serves as the company’s bookkeeper, while his son, Luke, and nephew, Aidan, work summer support roles while attending college.
“And to my mother, Lee Ann,” Ben adds, “I wouldn’t be here at all without your faith and trust in me. Thank you, Mom.”
After more than 40 years in Franklin, the greatest reward for the Briggeman family has been watching the community grow alongside them.
“The best part is our relationships with our customers,” Ben says. “We have several generations of families that have trusted us over the years.”
He recalls seeing children riding in the back seats of family cars who are now business owners themselves in Franklin.
Beck Automotive has also remained committed to giving back through support of Franklin Community High School arts and music programs, the Boys & Girls Club and Discover Downtown Franklin. The business prioritizes buying from locally owned distributors whenever possible, embracing the philosophy of “Shop Local, Buy Local.”
As Franklin continues to grow, Ben hopes Beck Automotive will continue growing with it — while preserving the values that have guided the business from the beginning.
“We hope to continue to grow with the Franklin community as our family grows as well,” he says.
For the Briggeman family, Beck Automotive has never simply been about fixing cars. It has been about building trust, investing in people and carrying forward a legacy rooted in service to the community they proudly call home.
