About B&K Collision
Trusted autobody and collision repair shop in Melvindale, Detroit, Dearborn, and Downriver.
OUR DAD - WHO STARTED IT ALL
B & K Collision has been family owned since 1999, when our dad, Mike Brennan, purchased G & L Collision in Melvindale, MI.
Our dad started his collision career in 1990 at Westborn Collision in Dearborn. During Mike’s time as general manager, Westborn Collision won the 1997 Independent Body Shop of the year award, being recognized as the largest independent collision shop in the country with over $10 million in revenue. Soon after this achievement, Westborn sold to a private equity company and soon after that, our dad left to open B&K Collision with his cousin. This location coincidentally closed a couple years after his departure.
Our cousin, which is where the K originally came from, would go his separate way before the business officially opened, leading our dad to change the “K” to “Kids” to become Brennan and Kids Collision.
THE BEGINNING OF B&K
Through our dads connections, work ethic, and sheer will, he began building B & K collision into a well-respected collision shop known throughout Melvindale, Dearborn and Downriver. It wasn’t without hardship though. He almost went bankrupt twice and was in financial difficulty for many of the 13 years, but it didn’t stay that way forever. One of the many things that helped turn the tide were the memorable commercials our dad made with us kids and his employees. The most recognizable one being the “I’m Mike Brennan” commercial. That commercial is still brought up by customers 22 years later - many of them asking, “Are you one of the kids? Are you Mike Brennan?”
MIKE’S SON TAKING OVER
After finally being in a position of success, our dad was ready to retire. When I, Brad, heard of his plans, I asked to buy the business. Given how family oriented B&K is, this may seem logical. However, I actively avoided the business growing up. My dad had a rule that if I wasn't in school I had to work at the shop. Being clever, I stayed in school year round. After I graduated, I went on to become the youngest CPA in Michigan history, and work at Ernst and Young in Detroit and New York. Quitting my accounting job to run the family business in 2014 was the last thing anyone expected.
BUILDING AND EXPANDING B&K COLLISION
After taking over the business in 2014, I was in financial strain for about 5 years. I worked hard to develop the business, while also making payments to my dad and supporting my young family. Both my dad and I went from one collision shop, in Melvindale, to three shops, in Melvindale, Westland, and Allen Park. In 2019, I sold the two shops (Westland and Allen Park) and signed a large paint deal, which set the business on financially firm footing once again. Shortly after, I was able to use that strong foundation to expand into other businesses and revamp the collision shop. Every day, we strive to be better than the day before and continue our family’s business to not only be successful, but one the community can continue to count on for years to come.
After 7 years building B&K, I convinced my sister Jill to join the family business. Jill had previous experience as an early childhood educator and an ophthalmic technician, while occasionally doing odds and ends at the shop. Since I (Brad) am the one writing this, let me say that without a shadow of a doubt, Jill is now better than both me and our dad. She runs the day to day operations with our shop manager Shawn, who is also a second generation employee that his dad Kevin helped us hire around the time I took over. Jill's hardwork, dedication and eagerness to learn and improve, is the reason why we’re entering a new chapter of even greater quality and professionalism.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
The Brennan family businesses now include:
- B&K Collision (1999)
- Brennan Used Cars (2019, primarily wholesale)
- Turf Doctor lawn fertilization company (2023)
- Samaritan Group Homes (2024)
- Park Place Catering (2025)
Our primary focus in all of our businesses is quality and treating customers like family. We are honest, hard working, and will do whatever, within reason, to make a situation right. We do everything with love and integrity, still standing proud by the slogan our dad came up with, which we feel expresses our commitment to our customers and community.
From our family to yours, thank you for being part of this journey with us.
“We don’t do anything different, we just do what we say.”
- Mike Brennan