Franklin Collision Center officially opened the doors to its newly expanded 30,000-square-foot facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday attended by community leaders, elected officials, employees, and members of the Franklin family.
The state-of-the-art center, located directly behind Franklin Chevrolet, 106 Northside Drive East in Statesboro, GA, represents the latest chapter in the Franklin Automotive Group’s long-standing commitment to service, quality, and local investment in Bulloch County.
Robbie Franklin opened the ceremony by thanking the many partners, including the City of Statesboro and individuals involved in bringing the multi-year project to life. He then introduced Lehman Franklin.
“This has been in the works for over three years,” Lehman Franklin said. “It’s a mix of research, risk, prayer, and incredible support from our employees and the community that made this vision possible.”
Speakers included Mayor Jonathan McCollar, Bulloch County Commission Chairman David Bennett, Bulloch County Development Authority Chairman Billy Allen, and Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns. Each praised the Franklin family’s deep roots and long-term contributions to the region’s growth and prosperity.
“The Franklin name is part of the fabric of Statesboro,” Mayor McCollar said. “This new facility reflects not just business expansion, but a deep investment in our community’s future.” He also highlighted Statesboro’s recent national recognition as a top small city for business growth.
Chairman Bennett recalled his personal connection to the business, having brought his vehicle to the Franklins as a student at Georgia Southern University. “This is more than a building—this is a reflection of a legacy business expanding with purpose and vision,” he said.
The development authority Bulloch County is responsible for enticing businesses and industry industry to locate or expand in Statesboro and Bulloch County, said Chairman Billy Allen. "We've been very fortunate to attract some great industries because of existing business assets in our community like the Franklin family.
Speaker Jon Burns took a moment to recognize the Franklin family not only for their business success, but for their role in helping advance legislation to support families across Georgia. He praised their advocacy for IVF-related reforms and called the family “leaders in both business and life.”
Franklin Collision Director Bill McFarland shared details about the facility’s capabilities, calling it “possibly the largest and most advanced repair center in southeast Georgia.” The center features cutting-edge repair technologies, air-conditioned work bays, expanded waiting areas, and full in-house mechanical and safety calibration services.
The team expects to grow from 12 to more than 30 employees within the next year.
McFarland emphasized the center’s commitment to customer service, safety, and efficiency. “We built this for you, our community. It’s about serving you faster, better, and without compromising the quality you deserve,” he said.
The ceremony concluded with a blessing led by Pastor Donald Chavers and a guided tour of the facility. The Franklin family invited guests to enjoy dinner and explore the new building, which marks a major milestone in the automotive group’s 70+ year legacy of service in the region.
“This is just the beginning,” said Lehman Franklin. “We’re excited about the future and grateful for everyone who helped us get here.”
