Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: Maaco stands as North America's premier auto body and paint franchise, offering a robust business model for entrepreneurs looking to enter the industry.
Maaco is North America's No. 1 auto body and paint franchise, recognized for its affordable, high-volume model providing fast, reliable service for paint, collision and fleet needs.
Founded in 1972 by Anthony A. Martino, Maaco aims to revolutionize the auto paint and body repair industry with an affordable, high-volume model focused on fast, reliable service. The first Maaco center opened in Wilmington, Delaware, and over the next five decades, the brand became synonymous with “America’s Body Shop.” Today, Maaco is owned by Driven Brands, the largest automotive services company in North America, which also owns Meineke, Take 5 Oil Change and CARSTAR.
Mission: To deliver affordable, high-quality auto painting and collision repair services that keep vehicles looking and performing their best.
Vision: To continue leading the automotive aftercare industry through innovation and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
Maaco is currently focusing on multi-unit growth opportunities across the United States, with a minimum of three units commitment to start. Visit the Maaco franchise website for more information.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Maaco franchise ranges from $196,000 to $644,000 for an Auto Body Conversion center and $728,500 to $3,994,000 for a Ground Up or Non-Auto Retrofit center. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Auto Body Conversion | Ground Up/Non-Auto Retrofit | ||
Min | Max | Min | Max | |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Initial Training and Opening Fee | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Initial Advertising Contribution | $15,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Training Expenses | $3,500 | $5,000 | $3,500 | $5,000 |
| Equipment, Signage & Initial Computer Hardware | $32,500 | $307,000 | $240,000 | $307,000 |
| Opening Inventory & Supplies | $15,000 | $37,000 | $15,000 | $37,000 |
| Construction, Design, Tenant Improvements & Missc. Startup Costs | $25,000 | $150,000 | $350,000 | $3,500,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $50,000 | $75,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $45,000, due at signing of the franchise agreement. Veterans and qualified area developers may be eligible for discounted fees under Maaco’s Veterans Program and Development Incentive Addendum.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Maaco franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing costs and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty Fee | 8% of gross receipts/week (new centers pay 4% for first 6 months) |
| Weekly Marketing Fee | $1,200/week |
| Management System Software License Fee | $799 - $973 (plus taxes)/month |
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 317 Maaco centers open for two years or longer reported the following gross receipts for FY 2024:
Average | Median | High | Low | |
| Top 50% (159) | $2,226,532 | $1,762,542 | $10,463,135 | $1,348,304 |
| Bottom 50% (158) | $1,001,411 | $1,044,398 | $1,342,652 | $445,821 |
| Total (317) | $1,615,904 | $1,348,304 | $10,463,135 | $445,821 |
New owners and managers complete Maaco University, a multi-week program combining classroom instruction, hands-on shop training and business operations education. Training covers everything from production flow and paint processes to hiring and marketing.
Franchisees receive comprehensive operational support, including real estate and site selection assistance, store design and construction guidance, and a robust opening support and launch marketing plan. They also gain access to dedicated field consultants and performance coaching, with key performance indicator (KPI) tracking facilitated through Driven Brands.
Maaco provides franchisees with advanced technology and tools, including proprietary performance dashboards and reporting software for tracking key metrics. Franchisees also benefit from centralized procurement through the DrivenAdvantage Platform, ensuring competitive pricing on paint, parts and equipment. The brand offers digital estimating and workflow management tools to streamline operations, alongside an online portal for comprehensive operations, HR, and financial reporting.
Business or management experience preferred, but automotive background not required. Maaco seeks multi-unit investors, experienced operators or entrepreneurs who can build and lead strong teams.
Maaco allows for both owner-operator and semi-absentee models. Owners typically employ a general manager and eight to 12 technicians, depending on shop volume.
Maaco is SBA-approved and has relationships with third-party lenders for equipment and working capital financing. Veterans may also qualify for discounted fees through the brand’s Maaco Vets Program.
“Anybody who has the real power to work hard can come in and start up with Maaco. Maaco provides you with excellent tech support from day one — from when you buy the franchise all the way through.”
- Rizwan Afzal, Franchisee — Windsor, New Jersey
“When we first looked at businesses, Maaco was attractive because it’s a proven system. We wanted the whole recipe — from marketing support to operational support — and it was very attractive to us for all those reasons.”
- Mark Goulding, Franchisee — Portland, Oregon
The U.S. automotive aftermarket is valued at $430 billion and continues to grow as consumers hold onto vehicles longer — averaging nearly 12.5 years of ownership. With over 280 million cars on the road, the demand for paint, body and cosmetic repair remains strong.
Key competitors include: Midas, CARSTAR, Meineke, Big O Tires, Tint World and NAPA Auto Parts. Maaco’s advantage lies in brand recognition, scale, and Driven Brands’ shared resources — giving franchisees unmatched access to marketing, vendor discounts, and technology.
Complete and submit the online form on Maaco’s franchise website to get the process started.
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