Automotive
14 brands
Valvoline Instant Oil Change
AutomotiveChristian Brothers Automotive
AutomotiveTake 5 Oil Change
AutomotiveGrease Monkey
AutomotiveJiffy Lube
AutomotiveMeineke Car Care Centers
AutomotiveMidas
AutomotiveBig O Tires
AutomotivePrecision Tune Auto Care
AutomotiveZiebart
AutomotiveMatco Tools
AutomotiveSpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service
AutomotiveMaaco
AutomotiveTint World
AutomotiveAutomotive Category at a Glance
14 brands compete in automotive, with an average minimum investment of $338K and an average royalty of 4.1%. 93% disclose Item 19 revenue data — above the database-wide average, giving buyers in this category better visibility into unit economics before committing capital.
7 brands are growing and 4 are contracting by net unit count. A category where more brands are growing than shrinking signals healthy demand — but individual brand trajectory matters more than category averages. Check each brand's 3-year unit trend in their FDD Item 20 before investing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a automotive franchise? ▾
Investment ranges for automotive franchises in our database span from $108K to $4.0M. The lowest-cost option is Tint World starting at $240K, while the most expensive is Maaco at up to $4.0M. These figures come from official Franchise Disclosure Documents and include franchise fees, build-out, equipment, and initial working capital.
Which automotive franchise has the best performance? ▾
Based on our health score methodology, Valvoline Instant Oil Change leads the automotive category with a score of 99/100. The health score combines unit growth rate, system size, investment efficiency, and whether the franchisor discloses Item 19 revenue data. 12 of 14 automotive brands disclose revenue data in their FDD, making direct financial performance comparison possible for those brands.
What are typical royalty rates for automotive franchises? ▾
The average royalty rate across 13 automotive brands with disclosed rates is 4.1%. Royalties are typically calculated as a percentage of gross revenue and paid weekly or monthly. Some brands also charge a marketing/advertising fund fee of 1-3% on top of royalties. When comparing franchises, look at the total ongoing fee burden (royalty + ad fund + technology fees) rather than royalty alone — the stacking effect can significantly impact unit-level profitability.