FEATURED COVER STORY
Paniagua Auto Mall
W
hen Francisco Paniagua moved to the
As a child, Paniagua had always dreamed of
United States in 1990 as a teenager,
having his own business, and in April of 2004—after
he worked hard picking grapes and
many years of hard work—he launched the first
strawberries in California. In 1992, Paniagua moved
Paniagua Auto Sales at a small car lot on Morris
to Dalton, Georgia, with big dreams. While finishing
Street in Dalton, Georgia. The business was very
his education at Dalton High School, he also worked
successful and many cars were sold, so in January
full-time as a dishwasher and a busboy at Cracker
of 2012, a second location of Paniagua Auto Group
Barrel before moving to a Mexican restaurant where
was opened in Tennessee. One year later, Paniagua
he served as a waiter and a bartender. One of his high
had the opportunity to acquire his present location
school teachers helped him get a job in the carpet
of Paniagua Auto Mall. Paniagua and his family
industry, and after six months of working as a creeler,
have successfully served the community for five
Paniagua was promoted to a machine operator.
years from this location on Walnut Avenue in
Paniagua enjoyed his job, but after four years in the carpet industry, a sales opportunity at a local
Dalton, Georgia. Paniagua Auto Mall has a full inventory and
used car dealership was offered to him and he took
a wonderful selection of pre-owned vehicles—
it. Little did Paniagua know then, that job would be
from family cars to sports cars. Are you looking to
the beginning of a successful journey. After working
establish your credit? Paniagua Auto Mall can help
at the local used car dealership for three years,
you! Paniagua welcomes you to test drive any car
Paniagua moved to a Honda dealership where he
or truck with a valid driver’s license. Paniagua Auto
worked for another three years.
Mall’s Service Department is open to the public
26 // May 2022
