G&C Auto Body has acquired Miracle Auto Body in Chico, CA, expanding the family owned MSO’s Northern California footprint to more than 50 locations and marking its first branded site in the Butte County market.
The shop will be rebranded G&C Auto Body – Chico and is scheduled to open Sept. 2, 2026.
The seller, Miracle Auto Body, is a long standing independent business and not affiliated with the Miracle Auto Painting & Body Repair franchise network, the company said.
Founded in 1972 by Gene Crozat, G&C Auto Body has built the largest group of auto body facilities north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Crozat family continues to lead the company, which emphasizes quality, integrity and customer service, and is active in industry philanthropy through the National Auto Body Council.
Why Chico, Why Now
Chico anchors the Chico MSA of roughly 208,000 residents and a city population just over 102,000, providing a sizable collision repair catchment with highway exposure along SR 99 and SR 32 and a commuting workforce tied to regional agriculture, education and health services.
California remains the nation’s largest vehicle market with 35.98 million registered vehicles as of Jan. 1, 2025. Earlier DMV county tallies show Butte County above 224,000 registered vehicles in 2020 — a dated figure, but indicative of a material local car parc for insurers and repairers.
For G&C, Chico extends a regional network effect across the Sacramento Valley and North State, potentially smoothing insurer DRP assignments, parts sourcing and technician development while giving carriers another option in a county with a sizable, older vehicle fleet and moderating claim volumes.
