Kensington Service Center

What Kensington Service Center does

Kensington Service Center is a family-owned auto repair shop and full-service fuel station operating from a single location at 3794 Howard Avenue in Kensington, Maryland's Antique Row district. Founded in 1926 and acquired by current owner Mario Bruno in 2014, the business has operated continuously at the same site for over 95 years. The company serves individual vehicle owners and Montgomery County residents with comprehensive automotive repair and maintenance for all makes and models of cars, SUVs, vans, and light trucks.

Core offerings include brake service and repair, tire services and sales, battery testing and replacement, suspension work, vehicle inspections (including Maryland state inspections and free 30-point courtesy inspections), and general mechanical repairs. The facility also operates as Montgomery County's only ethanol-free fuel station, providing full-service fueling with complimentary air, oil top-off, and convenience items at the pump. A free local shuttle service accompanies repair work. Beyond automotive services, the company offers professional notary public services — acknowledgments, power of attorney, wills and trusts, affidavits, and travel consent forms — available at its own location and at two affiliated sites on different weekdays.

The business employs approximately 15-20 staff, including a controller/CFO, general manager, shop manager, HR director, master mechanic, ASE-certified technicians, service advisors, and attendants. Technology usage is limited to manufacturer-level diagnostic equipment and factory scan tools; no proprietary platform, app, or AI capabilities are present. Revenue is generated through quote-based professional services, hardware sales (fuel, tires, batteries), and notary fees, with no institutional investors, funding rounds, or external shareholders. Marketing relies on local reputation, word-of-mouth, Google/Yelp/Consumer Checkbook reviews, and community event sponsorship including the Annual Kensington Car Show.

Name

Kensington Service Center

Legal name

Kensington Service Center

Website

https://kensingtonservicecenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kensington Service Center is a family-owned auto repair shop and ethanol-free fuel station in Kensington, Maryland, serving individual vehicle owners in Montgomery County with brake, tire, battery, and general mechanical services plus notary public services since 1926.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Repair Services

NAICS

General Automotive Repair (811111), Other Gasoline Stations (457120), Automotive Repair and Maintenance (8111)

SIC

Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTLAKAAAC

Brakes, Steering & Suspension Services

Transportation & Logistics/Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance, Repair & Services (MRO)/Automotive Repair & Maintenance (Light-Duty Vehicles)

SECONDARYTHAIANAC

Vehicle Inspection, Testing & Compliance (Safety, Emissions, Certification)

Travel & Hospitality/Rail, Bus & Ground Passenger Transport/Ground Passenger Transport Operations & Fleet Services (Depots/Maintenance/Dispatch)

Keywords

• Auto repair services
• Tire and brake service
• Vehicle state inspections
• Ethanol-free fuel station
• Automotive battery service

Headquarters

HQ city

Kensington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Auto Repair and Maintenance Services: Provides comprehensive auto repair services including brake service and repair, tire services and sales, suspension work, battery testing/replacement/installation, vehicle inspections, and general mechanical repairs for all makes and models of cars, SUVs, vans, and light trucks.
2. Fuel Sales: Full-service fueling station. Montgomery County's only ethanol-free fuel station. Offers free air for tires, oil top-off, propane, windshield washer fluid, and other convenience items at the pump.
3. Notary Services: Provides notary services including acknowledgments, power of attorney, wills and trusts, affidavits and oaths, and travel consent forms for minors traveling internationally. Services offered at multiple affiliate locations on different days.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kensington Service Center is an automotive repair shop and fuel station in Kensington, Maryland providing brake service, tire sales and rotation, battery testing and replacement, Maryland state vehicle inspections, and full mechanical auto repair. It also operates Montgomery County's only ethanol-free fuel station and offers complimentary shuttle service and mobile notary services.

Product overview

Kensington Service Center is a full-service auto repair station offering a comprehensive suite of automotive services built around its core auto repair capabilities. The company operates as Montgomery County's only ethanol-free fuel station and provides complementary services including brake service and repair, tire services and sales, battery testing and replacement, vehicle inspections (free 30-point inspection and MD state inspections), and notary services. Additional conveniences include free local shuttle service and complimentary courtesy checks. The portfolio centers on traditional automotive maintenance and repair rather than technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Auto Repair

Quantifiable outcome

• Free 30-point inspection with every service
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• Lake Liberty Chevy ChaseminorOthersAffiliate location offering fuel, auto repair, service, and convenience store. Shawn Elliott serves as General Manager for both Lake Liberty Chevy Chase and Kensington Service Center. Notary services available at this location on Tuesdays.
• Bruno's Classic MuscleminorOthersAffiliate location specializing in muscle cars, hot rods, race cars, and sports cars. Offers rebuilds, restoration, and repair services. Shawn Elliott serves as General Manager. Mario Bruno is owner of both Bruno's Classic Muscle and Kensington Service Center. Notary services available at this location on Wednesdays.
• Annual Kensington Car ShowminorOthersCommunity event partner. Annual car show held in Kensington, MD. Kensington Service Center is affiliated with and promotes this local automotive community event.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Meineke Car Care Centers: Multi-service auto repair franchise offering brakes, tires, oil changes, and general mechanical repair for passenger vehicles. Directly comparable business model and service menu to KSC's auto repair operations.
• AAMCO Transmissions: National franchise network focused on transmission repair with broader mechanical service offerings. Comparable neighborhood-store service model and similar general-consumer target demographic.
• Midas: National franchise specializing in brakes, tires, suspension, and exhaust services — a direct functional comparison to KSC's core repair offerings. Operates through company-owned and franchised service centers serving similar consumer and light-truck customers.
• Monro Muffler & Auto Service: Chain of neighborhood auto service centers providing brakes, tires, steering, exhaust, and maintenance. Closely comparable to KSC in customer base (general consumers, light vehicles) and service mix, though at much larger scale.

Broad incumbents

• Jiffy Lube: Largest U.S. quick-service oil change and preventive maintenance franchise. While narrower in scope than KSC, it competes for the same maintenance-minded consumer and represents an alternative channel for routine vehicle upkeep.
• Firestone Complete Auto Care: Bridgestone-owned national service network combining tire sales with full mechanical repair. Comparable service scope and target customer, with broader geographic reach and brand-driven trust.
• Pep Boys: National broad-line automotive service and tire retailer offering the same core service categories as KSC plus parts retail. Provides a scaled benchmark for service offerings and customer experience even though KSC operates at a local-boutique level.
• Goodyear Auto Service: Goodyear-tied service centers performing tire work plus general maintenance and repair. Overlaps directly with KSC's tire services and complementary mechanical offerings.
• Valvoline Instant Oil Change: Largest U.S. quick-lube chain performing oil changes and related preventive services. Competes for routine maintenance visits and represents a structural threat to a portion of KSC's service mix.

Emerging players

• Christian Brothers Automotive: Growing faith-based auto repair franchise emphasizing honesty, transparency, and community trust — values that mirror KSC's stated positioning. Comparable full-service repair menu for passenger vehicles.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/100054257930333
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kensingtonservicecenter

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kensington Service Center