Branch's Driving School open at Driver's Village

CNY Business Journal (1996+), Aug 26, 2005 by Dickinson, Casey J

CICERO - Branch's Driving School has opened an office at Burdick's Driver's Village at the former Penn Can Mall.

The 2,000-square-foot location will serve as the school's suburban headquarters, says Deraux Branch, president of Branch's Driving School. Two full-time staff members will operate the Cicero location.

Branch's signed a 15-year lease with Driver's Village. The driving school is negotiating two leases at other locations as well, he adds.

Founded in 1963 by Andrew W. Branch, Branch's Driving School trains more than 15,000 drivers in the classroom each year and 1,000 receive in-car instruction. The school offers pre-licensing courses, defensive driving classes, and specialized instruction aimed at teens and SUV drivers. Branch's main office is located at 212 N. Franklin St. near the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and it also offers regular drivereducation classes at area shopping malls and hotels.

From the 1960s through the 1980s, Branch's occupied leased space above the Arthur Murray dance studio on West Genesee Street. In 1991, the company purchased. nearby 212 N. Franklin St. for $101,500 and spent $20,000 improving the two-story property. Each floor of Branch's building covers 1,600 square feet.

Founder Andrew Branch, now 72, still trains drivers after 42 years in business. Branch's employs a staff of 26 and has 15 full-time employees. The Cicero office added three new full-time positions to, the school's staff, says Deraux Branch.

Branch's uses a fleet of five training vehicles to teach students. The school is in the process of purchasing two more cars, says Branch. Each training vehicle is equipped with extra mirrors and a passenger's side brake pedal.

Publicity of recent teen-driving tragedies has resulted in increased concern for the safety of new drivers, says Branch. The school has participated in public meetings on the topic and an educational program called "Alive at 25." Branch describes the program as similar to a defensive-driving course but focused on newer drivers.

"We would like to make a difference in the lives of teen drivers," says Branch.