Christian Brothers Automotive (CBA), officially broke ground on its new Mark A. Carr Technology & Training Center in Katy, Texas, marking a significant milestone in the brand’s long-term commitment to its people, franchisees and the future of the automotive repair industry.
The groundbreaking represents the next step following the brand’s 2025 announcement of the $12 million investment, bringing the vision for a centralized, best-in-class training hub closer to reality. Projected to open in early 2027, the nearly 14,000-square-foot facility is named after CBA’s founder and will serve as a national center for hands-on technical instruction, leadership development, and guest-service excellence.
“This training center is about far more than a building – it’s about investing in the long-term success of our team members and franchisees,” said Michael Suttle, chief development officer of CBA. “Breaking ground is an exciting moment because it reflects years of listening, planning and commitment to creating meaningful career paths and elevating the skilled trades.”
Designed to support technicians at every stage of their careers, the Mark A. Carr Technology & Training Center will offer end-to-end education, from entry-level apprenticeship support to advanced coursework in evolving vehicle technologies including electric vehicles (EV), hybrid and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). Located at 25801 Nelson Way, the facility will feature multiple modern classrooms, vehicle-accessible learning spaces and a fully equipped advanced shop with original equipment-level (OE) tools and diagnostics, enabling the CBA team to deliver in-house, hands-on training at a scale uncommon in the independent automotive repair industry.
By expanding training capacity beyond the limits of its current corporate facilities, CBA will be able to increase the frequency, accessibility and impact of its technical and service-focused programs, supporting improved technician productivity, shop performance and service consistency across its growing national footprint.
“This center is deeply personal for our family and our brand. My dad, Mark Carr, built Christian Brothers Automotive on a simple but powerful belief to invest in people and do the right thing, always,” said Donnie Carr, President and CEO of CBA. “Naming this facility in his honor is a reflection of that legacy, and this investment ensures his vision continues to guide how we develop our technicians, support our franchisees and serve our communities for generations to come.”
The Katy campus also represents the first phase of a broader, long-term vision for the brand. CBA ultimately plans to relocate its corporate Support Center from Houston’s Energy Corridor to the same site, creating a unified headquarters designed to support continued system growth and collaboration.
