Fred Beans Management Group, which oversees the Fred Beans Family of Dealerships, has been selected among the Inquirer’s 2019 Family Owned Business Award winners.
The awards program spotlights companies that embody the backbone of Philadelphia’s economy, but still manage to stay true to their roots of honoring past tradition.
Fred Beans Management Group won in the Multigenerational Family Business category. The company is family owned and operated, with Fred Beans at the helm after more than 50 years in business.
Three of Beans’ daughters, Beth, Barbara and Jennifer, help manage the business. Beth Beans Gilbert works most closely with her father as vice president, and her husband, Chris Gilbert, has a senior role as director of operations. Barbara Beans is fleet manager, and Jennifer Beans Keiser oversees the Autorent daily rental section of the business.
“When I was in high school, I wrote myself a note that I would have an auto dealership focused on the customer experience. Back then, I had a dream, but the reality of today is greater than any dream I had. My business has evolved, and I have had the pleasure of sharing much of that journey with my daughters,” said Fred Beans.
“This award is special because it acknowledges the very important roles they play in our business, as well as the value we place on family. We are family, but we aim to treat everyone else as our family as well, from our customers to our employees and vendors.”
The Fred Beans Family of Dealerships encompasses 32 rooftops, 20 dealerships, 18 brands, six Fred Beans collision centers (franchised CARSTAR), two AutoExpress locations, a parts warehouse, two Carquest locations, four Autorents rental locations, and commercial truck sales.
In 2000, the company established the Fred Beans Charitable Trust, which annually gives back to the community, prioritizing among organizations whose focus spans youth and education, human services, arts and culture and community development.
An expert panel judges evaluated all Family Owned Business Award nominees based on accomplishment in generational business success and acumen in addition to overall change, innovation and impact in their respective industries.
From the countless nominations, Fred Beans Management Group was selected among 40 winners spanning a range of categories. All were recently honored at an awards ceremony, as well as profiled in a special section in the Sunday Inquirer.
