Top Automotive Franchises Over 50 Units

There’s no doubt about it: Americans love to drive.

Americans drive for an average of 17,600 minutes each year, according to a 2016 survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The same study also found that more than 86 percent of U.S. households have at least one car per driver, and that 28 percent of U.S. households actually have more cars than drivers. Drivers who live in rural areas drove more than their urban counterparts.

And let’s not forget about holiday travel. Almost 47 million Americans traveled at least 50 miles on July 4th of this year, according to research by AAA. This was the highest number since AAA began tracking such data 18 years ago.

So much driving is bound to equal so much car care. Cars need to be serviced and maintained if they’re going to last, which is why the car care industry is such big business.

Here are 10 automotive franchises that have more than 50 units.

Christian Brothers Automotive

Unit count: 180+

Investment range: $458,950 - $555,350

This auto-repair chain started franchising in 1996 and opened its 100th location in 2012. Christian Brother Automotive is open to servicing all kinds of American and foreign vehicles. Markets the company targeted for franchise openings in 2018 included Richmond, Virginia, Indianapolis and St. Louis, Missouri. The brand praised its female franchisees in a 2017 blog post, noting that locations led and owned by women have been among the top performers in its franchise system. Christian Brothers provides state inspections and offers a variety of amenities to customers who are waiting for their vehicles to be serviced. The company is involved with charities at both the national and local levels.

Glass Doctor

Unit count: 270+

Investment range: $111,800 - $281,000

Glass Doctor is a franchise that repairs glass for vehicles as well as homes and business structures. The company’s auto glass services include windshield repair and replacement, window tinting and headlight restoration. Glass Doctor opened in 1962 and began franchising in 1977. The brand has been a part of the Dwyer Group since 1998 and assures franchisees they’ll have access to excellent marketing resources. Glass Doctor also provides business conversion opportunities. The company maintains an active blog with how-to and DIY advice. Glass Doctor is currently working on making its website ADA-compliant. The company puts a major emphasis on respect, integrity and having a customer focus.

Honest-1 Auto Care Corporate*

Unit count: 60+

Investment range: $206,650 - $659,150

Services this automotive repair company provide include brake repair, oil changes, ECO tune-ups and underhood services. Honest-1 prides itself on providing family-friendly locations that have nice waiting rooms and other spaces that are appealing to women. Honest-1 notes on its website that 66 percent of its customers are female and that lobbies include secure children’s play areas. Honest-1 also provides ECO-Friendly Auto Care services for interested customers. Ideal franchisee candidates are executive-minded, highly ethical and committed to providing excellent customer service. The company offers a complimentary customer shuttle and same-day service on most vehicles. Franchisee training is free, but franchisees will need to pay for travel and lodging.

Jiffy Lube

Unit count: 2,000+

Investment range: $234,000 - $372,650

Jiffy Lube started franchising in 1979 and offers quick lube business conversion opportunities. The brand’s services include air filtration services, air conditioning services, brake services, and fuel system cleaning services. Customers can acquire the Jiffy Lube Credit Card and purchase Jiffy Lube gift cards. The company also provides fleet services and accepts most fleet credit cards and gives customers three different payment options for the services as well. Jiffy Lube offers senior citizen discounts that vary between individual locations. The brand’s Resource Center is filled with tips on vehicle maintenance. Jiffy Lube University is the company’s training program that must be successfully completed by every technician.    

Meineke Car Services

Unit count: 900+

Investment range: $123,121 - $572,411.94

Meineke Car Services offers oil changes, brake maintenance and tire and wheel inspection. Meineke customers can opt for the company credit card and rewards program, and the company also offers fleet services. Meineke has international locations in Canada, the Caribbean, China and Mexico. The brand has several shops opening soon, and some of its strongest franchisees own multiple units. The company offers exclusive franchise territories, and little to no outside travel is necessary. Location site criteria include good visibility with a high traffic count, parking availability for at least 15 cars and the ability to accommodate at least five bays with sufficient storage and workspaces.

Pop-A-Lock

Unit count: 240+

Investment range: $96,904 - $130,313

Pop-A-Lock was started in 1991 by law enforcement officers in Lafayette, Louisiana, where it now has its corporate headquarters and its national training facility. All technicians receive training in the latest locksmith technology. The company created the Emergency Door Unlocking Program, a free community service that frees children who have been accidentally left in locked vehicles, that is now known as the PAL Saves Kids program. The program’s website page focuses on education and includes tips for parents on how to prevent leaving children unattended in locked vehicles by accident. Pop-A-Lock serves more than 4,500 communities in the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Precision Tune Auto Care

Unit count: 320+

Investment range: $127,000 - $253,600

Vehicle repair company Precision Tune Auto Care was founded in 1975 and started franchising in 1977. Services include fluid maintenance services and tire rotation. Twenty-six percent of U.S. centers are owned by veterans, and 66 percent of locations are owned by multi-unit franchisees. The company offers fleet services. In June 2017, PTAC wrote about committing to encouraging and growing a more diverse franchise base, and noted that 23 percent of its franchise owners were diversity candidates. In 2016, PTAC opened its first military base location in the northern Virginia area and opened two more Virginia military base locations in 2017. Its international locations include Oman, Mexico and Nigeria.

RNR Tire Express

Unit count: 100+

Investment range: $500,000 - $1,000,000

This retailer sells tires and custom wheels. It started in Tampa, Florida in 2000 and now operates in 22 states. RNR Tire Express president and founder, Larry Sutton, enjoys visiting stores. The company has an online and on-site training program, RNR University, which includes training on account management, product knowledge, and rental processing. The brand’s first step in the franchising process is speaking with the company’s franchise sales director, John Armatas. To celebrate Mother’s Day in 2018, the company donated cars to three single mothers. RNR partners with Benetrends to help franchisees with financing. Potential franchisees can fill out the so-called “Let’s Get Acquainted” form.

Valvoline Instant Oil Change

Unit count: 1,000+

Investment range: $174,500 - $2,523,500

This oil-changing company promises approximately 15-minute drive-thru oil changes and maintenance services that are 20 to 50 percent less expensive than going to a dealership. Valvoline’s ideal franchisee candidates are successful business people who want to follow a proven model, a multi-unit operator who wants to diversify their business portfolio, and/or an independent quick lube owner looking to sell their business. The company currently has franchise opportunities in Alaska, Hawaii, Indiana and South Carolina. Valvoline also maintains a YouTube channel that contains franchisee testimonials. Franchise owners do not need to have mechanical know-how, but they do need to genuinely love cars.

Maaco

Unit count: 500+

Investment range: $57,762 - $403,338

Automobile painting and collision repair shop Maaco got its start in 1972 and has serviced more than 20 million cars since. In 2017, the brand opened its 500th location in Dallas, Texas. In 2014, Tony Martino, Maaco’s founder, was inducted into the International Franchise Association Hall of Fame. Ideal franchise candidates do not need to have automobile backgrounds, but they should have financial management skills and managerial experience, among other things. Maaco franchisees will have access to more than 2,000 hours of online training. Once a franchisee opens their Maaco location, a regional trainer will provide three weeks of on-site training.

*Brands marked with an asterisk are clients of 1851 Franchise or No Limit Agency*.