1851

LAST UPDATED: 2/2024FRANCHISE WEBSITE:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tuffy.com/franchising/intro?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.tuffy.com/franchising/intro</a>NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 160+REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $71,000 to $423,500REPORTED ROI (Item 19):&nbsp;$1,439,610The first Tuffy Muffler shop opened in 1970 in Detroit, Michigan. Over time, the brand has evolved from just a muffler shop to an auto service center. Today, Tuffy is one of the largest full-service automotive repair franchises in the country.&nbsp;The service lineup currently includes brakes, shocks, struts, springs, alignment, front-end, oil change, mufflers, tires, air conditioning, batteries, starting and charging, flush and fill, and C.V. joints.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2021, the brand&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moderntiredealer.com/retail/article/11466773/mavis-to-acquire-tuffy-tire-auto-service?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">was acquired</a> by Mavis Tire Express Services Corp.&nbsp;<h3>How Many Locations Are There?</h3>Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Tuffy operates and franchises over 160 Tuffy Tire &amp; Auto Service Centers in Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.<h3>What Is the Business Model?</h3>Tire &amp; Auto Service Centers are designed to deliver quality products at a price consumers can afford. Existing relationships with key suppliers allows franchisees to get quality parts at a more affordable price. This buying power allows franchisees to pass on competitive prices to their consumers.&nbsp;Typical Deal Structure<ul><li>Lease or purchase of vacant auto repair center</li><li>Lease or purchase of existing building convertible to five to eight Bay auto repair center</li><li>Acquisition/purchase of open, existing auto repair business with real estate lease or purchase</li></ul>Demographic Guidelines<ul><li>Traffic counts—Minimum 20,000 VPD past site / 40,000 within 3-mile radius</li><li>Population—Minimum of 20,000 within 3-mile radius of site</li><li>Annual population growth rate—Minimum 1.5%</li><li>Median household income—Minimum $60K within three-mile radius</li><li>Automotive aftermarket Index 100+</li></ul>Standard Building/Site Criteria<ul><li>3,500–6,000 sq. ft. building</li><li>Minimum 25 parking spaces</li><li>Interior ceiling height minimum 14 feet clear</li><li>No automotive use restrictions</li><li>Close proximity to major grocer or big box store</li><li>Electric–400 amp</li></ul><h3>How Much Can Tuffy Owners Make?</h3>Below are the gross sales representations based on 66-franchised stores that had been in operation for at least 2 years and had at least 6 bays in 2022.&nbsp;<ul><li>High - $4,316,906</li><li>Average - $1,439,610</li><li>Median - $1,343,775</li></ul><h3>How Much Does It Cost to Open a Tuffy Franchise?</h3>The estimated investment for a Tuffy franchise varies between $71,000 to $423,500. This includes:&nbsp;<ul><li>Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000</li><li>Initial Advertising: $10,000 to $20,000</li><li>Lease Deposit &amp; First Month's Rent: $7,000 to $35,000</li><li>Miscellaneous Pre-opening Expenses: $13,000 to $35,000</li><li>Travel &amp; Living Expenses While Training: $1,000 to $3,500</li><li>Additional Funds: $10,000 to $50,000</li></ul>Items normally financed:<ul><li>Equipment &amp; Furniture: $145,000 to $200,000</li><li>Signage: $10,000 to $45,000</li><li>Initial Inventory: $3,000 to $10,000</li></ul>Franchises also need a total estimated liquid capital of $71,000 to $173,500.&nbsp;<h3>What Is the Franchise Fee for Tuffy?</h3>The franchise fee for Tuffy is $30,000.&nbsp;<h3>Who Are the Leaders of Tuffy?</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrel-neilson-07947875/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Darrel Neilson, President and CEO</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-f-schmitt-846ab86/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Eric F. Schmitt, Director of Franchise Development</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-unrast-94976a8/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Barry Unrast, Director of Marketing&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-bresler-88568711/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Bob Bresler, Vice President&nbsp;</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-mars-136929b4/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Stephen Mars, Director of Operations</a></li></ul><h3>What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More?</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/tuffy-tire-and-auto-service/282894?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Start a Tuffy Tire and Auto Service in 2024</a></li><li><a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/directory/tuffy-tire-and-auto-service/282894?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mavis to Acquire Tuffy Tire &amp; Auto Service</a></li><li><a href="https://tuffyfranchising.com/auto-repair-business-requirements/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Business Plan &amp; Requirements</a></li><li><a href="https://1851franchise.com/top-five-automotive-service-franchise-opportunities-in-2022-2719559">Top Five Automotive Service Franchise Opportunities in 2022</a></li></ul>Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.&nbsp;Check out these three 1851 brands:<a href="https://1851franchise.com/elitewindowcleaning/info">Elite Window Cleaning</a><ul><li><a href="https://elitewindowcleaningfranchise.ca/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Development Page</a></li><li>Number of Open Locations (as of 2/16/2024): 8</li><li>Investment Range: $102,057 - $120,332</li></ul><a href="https://1851growthclub.com/brands/richards-painting-rpg-franchising-llc/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Richard’s Painting</a><ul><li><a href="https://richardspaintingfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Development Page</a></li><li>Number of Open Locations (as of 2/16/2024): 21</li><li>Investment Range:&nbsp;$58,450 - $105,450</li></ul><a href="https://1851growthclub.com/brands/stratus-building-solutions/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Stratus Building Solutions</a><ul><li><a href="https://www.stratusclean.com/franchise/janitorial-cleaning-franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Development Page</a></li><li>Number of Open Locations (as of 2/16/2024): 72&nbsp;</li><li>Investment Range: $100,000 - $249,999</li></ul>Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721776" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> and start your journey.Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

Franchise Deep Dive: Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

1851 Franchise

This franchise promises to deliver the quality auto products consumers are looking for at a price they can afford.

franchise-deep-dive-tuffy-tire-auto-service-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

Sola Salons

Photo of interior of Sola Salons location

How Much Can I Make as a Sola Salons Franchise Owner?

franchise-earnings

SweatHouz

Memberships That Matter: SweatHouz’s Recurring Revenue Model Explained

sweathouz-recurring-revenue-model

Pigtails & Crewcuts

Pigtails & Crewcuts National Convention Spotlights a Business That Builds More Than Just Revenue

Why Franchisees Are All In: Pigtails & Crewcuts National Convention Spotlights a Business That Builds More Than Just Revenue

pigtails-and-crewcuts-national-convention-2025

Pet Wants

How Pet Wants Offers a Franchise Opportunity That Feeds Both Pets and Passion

how-pet-wants-offers-a-franchise-opportunity-that-feeds-both-pets-and-passion

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

The Simple Secret Behind Keke’s Breakfast Cafe: Design for People, Then Scale

kekes-breakfast-cafe-franchishe-jon-ahrendt-john-ehrhard

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Authority Brands Enters Q4 with Record Momentum

Authority Brands Enters Q4 with Record Momentum, Surpassing 200 New Franchise Owners in the First 10 Months of 2025

authority-brands-enters-q4-with-record-momentum-surpassing-200-new-franchise-owners-in-the-first-10-months-of-2025

Franchises, work-life balance, millennials in franchising, millennials work-life balance

The Best Franchises for Millennials Wanting Work-Life Balance

best-franchises-millennials-work-life-balance

Photo of Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza franchisee Lily Wilford

Entrepreneur: This 18-Year-Old Saves Babysitting Money for College — Then Decided to Buy a Business Instead

18-year-old-franchise-owner-lily-wilford

Amazon outage, AWS outage, Amazon AWS logo

The Day the Cloud Stalled: How Amazon's Outage Impacted Franchise Economy

amazon-aws-outage-franchise-impact-travel-dining-failure

Thursday 1851 Franchise Agg - NASAA’s Noncompete Push

NASAA’s Noncompete Push Puts Franchise Growth on Uncertain Ground

franchise-noncompete-nasaa-advisory-reasonableness-standard

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

Photo of Humbug Holiday Lighting team members wearing festive sweaters, beanies, smiling at camera

Happinest Brands Turns the ‘Off-Season’ Into a Bright Spot for Franchisees

happinest-holiday-lighting-franchise-support

image of mellow mushroom deep dive into financials article from 1851 franchise

Mellow Mushroom Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

mellow-mushroom-franchise-deep-dive

Scenthound Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

scenthound-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

A Practical Playbook: Who To Call First When Franchising Your Business

franchising-your-business-who-to-call-first

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

right-at-home-franchise-las-cruces-jerome-hanway

NJCAR v. Ford - New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

New Jersey Supreme Court Limits Standing Under Franchise Practices Act

new-jersey-franchise-practices-act-njcar-v-ford

image of michael panos and michel panos, owners of mellow mushroom in Atlanta

The Panos Family’s Role in Preserving Mellow Mushroom’s Character — and Expanding in Atlanta

mellow-mushroom-franchise-panos-restaurant-group-metro-atlanta

graphic image of an 1851 franchisee spotlight brayden and johnny steven of teriyaki madness

Franchise Deep Dive: Tuffy Tire & Auto Service Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS