PEOPLE ARE AT THE HEART OF WHAT WE DO
FAMILY-OWNED SINCE 1949
Don Hattan was founded in 1949 when Don purchased a Chevrolet dealership in Valley Center, Kansas for $13,000. Throughout the triumphs and challenges of starting a new business, a genuine care for the customers always remained a constant for Don Hattan. He built the business on true hometown values, all revolving around putting people first. Don’s son, Jim, began working in the dealership when he was just 10 years old, sweeping floors, dusting cars, and washing windows. After working his way up in the dealership for the next thirty years, Jim became dealer principle in the mid-80s. Getting through the 1980s with the all-time high interest rates was not easy, but Jim and the team persevered and led us to a period of growth throughout the 90s.
Jim’s daughter, Jill, graduated from Kansas University in 1994 and returned to Wichita to work in the dealership for what she thought would be a “short period of time.” Jill began to see problems in the dealership operations and started experimenting with possible solutions. From this, Jill’s passion for the success of the dealership grew, and she began implementing ideas like Ladies’ Day and other ways to enhance the customer experience. Jill became dealer principle in 2009 and under her leadership, Don Hattan has grown from one location to four across the Wichita area.
While many aspects of Don Hattan Dealerships have changed, the hometown values that started our story back in 1949 remain true. People are at the heart of what we do.
BUILDING A LEGACY
Since 1949, Don Hattan Dealerships has been dedicated to its customers and employees. We have grown from a single rooftop dealership to four dealerships in the past few years, causing our team to expand from 40 employees to more than 160. So, not only are we the oldest dealer group in the area – we are also the fastest growing. As Don Hattan continues to grow, we look for leaders. The formula is simple: when we do a good job with our customers and associates, we grow. When we grow, there is more opportunity for advancement. That is how we believe in building a business.
INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE
Our dedication to building personal relationships with our customers and giving them exceptional experiences begins with building our employees. Our growth comes from within – over 65% of our management team started with us in entry level positions. We invest in those who align with our core business values so we then can create more opportunities for good, hard-working people. At Don Hattan, we don’t just want to hire great people; we want them to be successful at their position and allow them to build a career with us. Together, we will make Wichita think differently about how car buying and servicing should be.
A SUPERIOR EXPERIENCE
Our reputation is part of our culture. We take pride in having the highest reputation scores in the area. People come to Don Hattan Dealerships because they know they can trust our team. This comes from our shared dedication to focusing on people more than cars. Our goal isn’t just to sell you a vehicle – it’s to create a lasting impression by being your friend in the automotive industry. Someone you can call when you have a question, or trust that they will listen to your needs and concerns.
MARKET BASED PRICING
Don Hattan surrounds Wichita with dealerships leveraging innovative technology and processes to provide our customers with a fair deal on all products and services. We want you to have the most transparent experience you’ve ever had while buying a car, and that all starts with a fair price. Our used car managers are the best in the business. With their experience alongside expert AI technologies, we sift through pricing information on more than 20,000 vehicles per hour to ensure you get the best price upfront. No hassle, no pressure, and no drawn-out back-and-forth haggling.
CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO
One of the best parts of working for a Jill Hattan Company is the constant drive for innovation. Don Hattan’s management team is constantly on the hunt for new ways to make the car buying and servicing experience better for our customers. If there is a problem, we don’t rest until we find a solution. That drive stems from Jill Hattan herself. Jill is unafraid of change and pushing the boundaries. She is always looking at what other industries might be doing to see if that would help our team and dealer group. Jill is not one to follow the pack. If she doesn’t believe in what other dealers are doing, or if she thinks a better solution is out there, she won’t hesitate to challenge the status quo.
ESTABLISHING EXCELLENCE
We pride ourselves on being a place people enjoy going to whether it’s to work, buy a car, sell a car, or service a car. No matter what is bringing you through our doors, we ensure everyone feels welcome and receives the treatment they deserve. Don Hattan is a great place to buy a car, and an even better place to work!
“In my constant rebellion against the status quo, I feel proud that I have made Wichita a better place to buy a car through our dealership. Putting people first – both my customers and my employees – has always left me feeling accomplished and rewarded.” – Jill Hattan
We are proud to have received the following awards:
Kansas Nominee for TIME Dealer of the Year
Congratulations to Jill Hattan for being the Kansas Nominee for TIME Dealer of the Year!
The TIME Dealer of the year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Hattan was chosen to represent the Kansas Automobile Dealers Association in the national competition – one of only 49 auto dealers nominated for the 55th annual award from more than 16,000 nationwide.
The GM Mark of Excellence Award
The GM Mark of Excellence Award is an accomplishment reserved for only a select few outstanding Chevrolet dealerships and is a symbol of extraordinary performance in sales and customer satisfaction. For a dealer to be considered for the GM Mark of Excellence Award, they must have achieved a year over year sales increase and excellent reviews from customer satisfaction surveys for vehicle purchases and service department visits to qualify for this esteemed award.
The Ford President’s Award
The Ford President’s Award is one of Ford Motor Company’s most prestigious awards and recognizes Dealers achieving the highest levels of customer satisfaction. Less than 1% of Ford dealers receive this award every year. So, to say this award is a big deal is an understatement. To win the President’s Award, dealers must exceed customer expectations every day in every department. The pursuit of excellence is not for the faint of heart – it requires passion, tenacity and, of course, hard work. Dealers not only must exceed customers’ expectations every day, but also achieve 100% or higher retail Sales % Effectiveness for combined Car and Truck (CYTD).
The Reputation 800 Award
The Reputation 800 Award is reserved for dealerships that go above and beyond to provide their customers with a superior experience and service, thus resulting in an excellent online reputation.
Best Places to Work Award
Each year, the Wichita Business Journal nominates companies for the annual Best Places to Work Award. Nominated companies agree to have staff members take an independent employee engagement survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace. Those scores are tabulated and the top companies in each category are named finalists. We are proud to have won this award several times as a Dealer group. We strive to make our dealerships a place where our employees feel valued, protected, and encouraged. Our growth and success would not be possible without our talented and dedicated teams.
Family Business Award
Don Hattan was chosen for Wichita Business Journal’s Family Business Awards. Family businesses are an integral part of the social and business fabric of our community. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in family-owned businesses and tell the story of a select group of the region’s most successful firms. Honorees are selected for longevity, entrepreneurship, and community involvement.