At every stage of life, there’s a defining moment that shapes a career. For Gabriel Roubeiz, owner of CARSTAR Dorval and recipient of the 2025 CARSTAR Rookie of the Year Award, that moment was his discovery of the automotive world.

Early Beginnings

Born in Cairo to a Lebanese father and an Italian mother, Gabriel arrived in Montreal at the age of four in 1966 — the era of Expo 67, the brand-new metro system, and Olympic dreams.

Although he studied marketing, management, and political science at university, and played all kinds of sports competitively, it was the 1980s car culture that drew him in.

Back then, getting a job at a dealership was as simple as walking through the door — and Gabriel didn’t hesitate to take the leap.

A Culture Shock

Enthralled by the iconic Mercury Cougar, Gabriel showed up at a dealership with long hair, flashy Italian chains, and a cigarette in hand. He suddenly found himself in a world dominated by salesmen in suits and ties, with short hair and conservative attitudes.

The culture shock was immediate — and so was the transformation. Gabriel quickly adopted a more classic look and the discipline needed to succeed. After six years in the dealership world, he accepted a management role with a GM accessories manufacturer in Windsor, Ontario, where he visited dealerships across Canada and represented the brand at auto shows.

Street Force and Family Life

For more than ten years, Gabriel shuttled between Montreal, Windsor, and Mississauga, and across Canada. But with two young daughters at home, the pace became hard to maintain. Together with his wife Caroline Habib, he founded Street Force in Saint-Laurent, a company specializing in performance accessories and special editions — very popular at the time.

From Sunfires and Grand Ams to Silverados, Street Force installed hoods, spoilers, running boards, decals, and full appearance kits. The couple even toured car shows across the country — stroller in hand — as their family grew with the arrival of a son.

“Those ten years as an independent business owner were the hardest of my life,” Gabriel recalls. “We had to do everything: drive sales, source new products, buy equipment, and build a team.”

Turning Toward Collision Repair

By the late 2000s, Gabriel sensed the accessory market slowing down and wisely shifted his focus to collision repair — just as vehicle technology was becoming increasingly sophisticated.

After working with two smaller networks, he joined CARSTAR in 2024, the largest collision repair network in North America.

In its very first year under the CARSTAR Dorval banner, the shop achieved 15% growth.

Building a Team and a Culture

For Gabriel, success is as much about people as it is about equipment.
“To attract top technicians, you need the best tools and technology. But building a strong team — that’s the toughest part,” he explains.

Today, three of his team members have been with him for over 15 years — a testament to the family-oriented culture he’s created.

His 15-member team works in an 11,000-sq-ft facility equipped with GYS welders, and Spanesi frame straightening equipment, and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) calibration. Hunter Hawk-Eye alignment machine and best tire changers and precision balancing machines.

“We want to create an environment where technicians feel good about coming to work and doing what they love,” Gabriel says with pride. “Our team comes from all over the world — and that’s our greatest strength.” 

Service with Heart

For Gabriel, customer service is just as important as the repair itself.
“Nothing leaves the shop unless it’s perfect,” he insists. That includes wiping away a forgotten fingerprint, fixing the smallest detail on the spot, or offering CARSTAR coloring books and CARSTAR goodies for kids.

In the waiting area, the TV plays only cooking shows — never news or sports — to create a calm atmosphere. And when it’s time to relax, Gabriel enjoys classical music, though his tastes are diverse.

Located at 691 Lépine Avenue in Dorval, just steps from the airport and Côte-de-Liesse Expressway, CARSTAR Dorval has earned a reputation for warm hospitality and professionalism.

Recognition and Legacy

In September 2025, Gabriel Roubeiz officially received the CARSTAR Rookie of the Year Award, alongside his wife Caroline, presented by Sabrina Thring (President of CARSTAR), Rémi Michaud (Director, CARSTAR Québec), and Dave Foster (VP of Development).

At 63, Gabriel has no plans to retire; I am aiming for 50 years in this Industry; another decade!
“The present is too motivating,” he says with a smile.

Family remains at the heart of his story — from his Lebanese and Italian roots to Caroline’s family ties in Shawinigan. His great-grandfather and grandfather contributed to the agricultural development of the Suez Canal region; Gabriel now builds teams and businesses with the same pioneering spirit.

“I’ve been blessed with a loving wife, wonderful children, and a career I’m passionate about. Nothing warms my heart more than treating every customer like a member of the family.”