How it works
You call Keyz Thankz at 519-457-9700 and we come and drive you home safely in the comfort of your own vehicle, at a cost comparable to a one way cab fare. No more worry about a DUI or waking up at home without your car. For 10 years, one London company has been helping drivers to make it home safe, with drivers' license in tact.Keyz Thankz is celebrating its tenth anniversary in business and you may recognize their name from a poster in a bar or restaurant, but if you don't you may know them as Driving Alternative or Keyz Pleaze.
Over the past decade, Keyz Thankz has been known by three names but has always offered safe, reliable service to its growing clientele. This growth is exponential, especially when considering the shrinking economy.
"We took 13,000 calls so far this year expect another 4,000 by the end of the year," says co-owner Brent Kilbourn. This represents a 25 percent growth - not bad during a recession.
When a customer calls 519-457-9700, a driving team is dispatched to the location. One driver takes the customer home in his/her own car, while the other follows to provide transportation to his/her partner.
It's an economically viable alternative to taking a taxi both ways from a party or gathering, says Kilbourn, as the cost is a few dollars more than a one way taxi ride. "You end up safely at home with your vehicle there so you don't have to go back and get it."
The cost is based on a per kilometer basis. Your car can make multiple stops with no extra charge, and you can take home as many friends as the number of seat belts in your car. Trips are not restricted to within London. "We go wherever your car goes," says Kilbourn, adding that driving teams are often called upon to transport customers to outlying towns and villages, and "we've gone as far as Toronto."
He and partner Tracy Wilkins started this home-based business 10 years ago, while she was waitressing at a local bar and noticed the need for such a service. Kilbourn was employed at a local factory at the time and wanted to move toward having his own business. This type of franchise gave the couple the chance to grow the business, while retaining their jobs.
Building the business from one car and two drivers to now having 25 cars on the road with 50 drivers, the couple is planning to hire another 10 teams for the busy holiday party season.
Over the past 10 years, public attention to the ramifications of drinking and driving has been raised, while laws governing this have been tightened. The couple attributes much of Keyz Thankz growth to this, while the recent lowering of allowable blood alcohol limits in May of this year was one reason that the usual summer slow down in business didn't happen. "We were busy right through the summer, with golf tournaments and such," says Kilbourn, "and that doesn't usually happen."
Along with a great number of customers, Keyz Thankz is seeing a younger demographic use their services, also. "We are having (people in) their 20s using the service and parents are buying gift certificates for their grown children," says Wilkins.
One of those companies using Keyz Thankz services for a golf tournament is Tilco Electric. According to controller Judy Logan, the company holds two events for employees each year and provides Tilco employees with safe ways home for both. "I've personally used Keyz Thankz when going home from a company event and was very pleased," she says. "Their drivers inspire a great deal of confidence and I was glad to let them drive my car."
Keyz Thankz works cooperatively with other business. Marty Verweel, owner of the Wortley Road House, has worked with Keyz Thankz since its inception, displaying their information in the bar and guiding customers to use the service if they seem inebriated. Brent notes that many hosts display the company's cards when they entertain in their homes because of their responsibility to ensure guests don't drink and drive. "That's becoming much more popular," he says, "because of the laws."
After 10 years in business, Kilbourn, Wilkins and their crew are ready for another decade of ensuring that Londoners get home safely.