Automotive franchise opportunities in 13 current FDDs run from a $38,300 ProColor Collision conversion to a $3,994,000 ground-up Maaco, with initial fees of $10,000 to $85,000 and royalties charged on sales, product category or profit.
Key takeaways
- Item 5 initial fees run from $10,000 at Fix Auto to $85,000 at Christian Brothers Automotive (Fix Auto FDD, 2025; Christian Brothers FDD, April 17, 2026).
- Christian Brothers Automotive charges a Royalty Fee of 50% of monthly “Split Profits” instead of a percentage of sales, plus 50% of net proceeds when you sell (Item 6).
- Take 5 Oil Change ended 2024 with 710 company-owned and 432 franchised centers; Valvoline Instant Oil Change ended 2025 with 976 company-owned and 1,063 franchised (Take 5 FDD, Valvoline FDD, Item 20).
- 9 of the 13 FDDs state a radius of 1 to 3 miles where no new unit of the brand opens, even when the same Item 12 prints “You will not receive an exclusive territory”; Midas grants a site only (Midas FDD, Item 12).
- 11 of 13 include an Item 19 financial performance representation; Kennedy Transmission and ProColor Collision do not (Kennedy FDD, ProColor FDD).
Which automotive franchise opportunities are open, and what do their FDDs say?
As of October 2026, 13 automotive service systems have a current Franchise Disclosure Document filed with Minnesota’s CARDS registry that we read item by item. The table lists each one alphabetically with its Item 5 fee, Item 6 royalty, Item 7 investment range and Item 20 outlet count. It is not a ranking: each column is what the franchisor printed, linked to the filing.
| Brand | Segment | FDD issued | Item 5 fee | Item 6 royalty | Item 7 range | Item 20 franchised / company-owned (year end) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Optix Tint | Window tint, restyling | Apr 1, 2025 | $49,500 | 6% of gross sales + 2% brand fund | $154,100 to $259,500 | 23 / 1 (2024) | FDD |
| Christian Brothers Automotive | General repair | Apr 17, 2026 | $85,000 | 50% of monthly Split Profits | $515,250 to $650,400 | 326 / 0 (2025) | FDD |
| Fix Auto | Collision repair | Jun 13, 2025 (amended Dec 29, 2025) | $10,000 | 3% of Gross Sales ($2,000 monthly minimum) + 3% Growth Fee | $55,100 to $850,000 (conversion) | 212 / 0 (2024) | FDD |
| Jiffy Lube | Oil change, light repair | Mar 27, 2026 (amended Jul 1, 2026) | $35,000 | 4% of Gross Sales (3% if paid on time) | $232,000 to $520,000 (excl. real estate) | 1,765 / 318 (2025) | FDD |
| Kennedy Transmission Brake & Auto Service | Transmission, brakes | May 21, 2025 | $17,500 | 6% of Gross Revenues ($12,000 then $18,000 annual minimum) | $88,500 to $162,500 | 7 / 0 (2024) | FDD |
| Maaco | Paint, collision | Jun 20, 2025 (amended Dec 15, 2025) | $45,000 | 8% of gross receipts | $196,000 to $644,000 (conversion) | 363 / 0 (2024) | FDD |
| Meineke | General repair | Jun 20, 2025 (amended Dec 29, 2025) | $45,000 | 3% to 7% by category, $20,800 annual minimum | $224,898 to $1,200,818 | 716 / 0 (2024) | FDD |
| Midas | General repair, tires | Apr 16, 2026 | $35,000 | 10% of Net Revenue (6% tires, 2% batteries) | $385,450 to $940,050 (new 8-bay) | 889 / 111 (2025) | FDD |
| Milex Complete Auto Care / Mr. Transmission | Transmission, general repair | Apr 29, 2026 | $45,000 | 7% of Gross Sales or $250 a week | $267,500 to $341,000 | 99 / 5 US (2025) | FDD |
| ProColor Collision | Collision repair | Mar 28, 2026 | $20,000 | 3% of Gross Sales or $2,000 a month | $38,300 to $199,500 (conversion) | 37 / 0 (2025) | FDD |
| Take 5 Oil Change | Oil change | Jun 13, 2025 (amended Dec 29, 2025) | $45,000 | 7% of Gross Sales | $912,248 to $2,053,642 (ground-up) | 432 / 710 (2024) | FDD |
| Tint World | Tint, restyling, accessories | Apr 17, 2026 | $49,950 | 6% of Gross Revenues or $500 a week | $249,950 to $479,950 | 142 / 0 US (2025) | FDD |
| Valvoline Instant Oil Change | Oil change | Dec 26, 2025 | $30,000 | 2% year 1, 3% year 2, then 4% to 6% of AGR | $192,375 to $3,483,550 | 1,063 / 976 (2025) | FDD |
Item 7 ranges run from $38,300 (ProColor conversion) to $1,200,818 (Meineke) for the lowest-cost format of each brand. Source: 13 FDDs on Minnesota CARDS, accessed October 2026.
Two numbers frame demand for these shops. S&P Global Mobility counted 289 million light vehicles in US operation with an average age of 12.8 years in its May 2025 analysis, and passenger cars averaged 14.5 years. Older vehicles need more brake, exhaust and transmission work, which is the menu most of these systems sell.
The industry picture behind these brands, including Census franchise shares by NAICS code and SBA lending by sub-sector, sits in our automotive franchise statistics report.
How much does an automotive franchise cost to open?
Item 7 of the 13 FDDs puts the lowest opening estimate at $38,300 for a ProColor Collision conversion and the highest at $3,994,000 for a ground-up Maaco Center. Format moves the number more than brand: converting an existing shop, leasing the site or buying land can change the same brand’s range by more than $1,000,000, so compare the format you would actually open.
| Brand | Format | Item 7 range | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fix Auto | Conversion / new (ground-up) | $55,100 to $850,000 / $169,700 to $3,090,000 | Item 7 |
| Maaco | Auto Body Conversion / Ground Up or Non-Auto Retrofit | $196,000 to $644,000 / $728,500 to $3,994,000 | Item 7 |
| Midas | New 8-bay / conversion / co-branding | $385,450 to $940,050 / $143,400 to $941,050 / $170,150 to $1,365,750 | Item 7 |
| ProColor Collision | Conversion / new | $38,300 to $199,500 / $316,800 to $3,129,500 | Item 7 |
| Take 5 Oil Change | Ground-up / conversion | $912,248 to $2,053,642 / $287,145 to $1,013,587 | Item 7 |
| Tint World | Center / center with Mobile Services | $249,950 to $479,950 / $264,950 to $499,950 | Item 7 |
| Valvoline Instant Oil Change | All formats / real property leased | $192,375 to $3,483,550 / $192,375 to $639,550 | Item 7 |
Some cost lines sit outside the franchisor’s range. Christian Brothers Automotive leases the land and building to you at about $22,000 to $38,000 base rent per month plus triple net costs (Item 6), and its Item 7 includes $392,500 to $419,000 paid to the franchisor. Jiffy Lube’s range excludes real estate; its Item 7 notes estimate $300,000 to over $800,000 to buy a site if you do not lease.
Does the Jiffy Lube Item 7 add up?
The July 2026 Jiffy Lube Pacesetter FDD prints two different totals. The cover page states $232,000 to $520,000 excluding real estate, while the TOTAL EXPENDITURES row of the Item 7 table prints $211,000 to $510,000. Adding the rows ourselves gives the cover figure, as the worked table shows.
| Item 7 line (new service center) | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Initial franchise fee | $0 | $35,000 |
| First month’s rent and security deposit | $16,000 | $40,000 |
| Equipment, signs and fixtures | $125,000 | $325,000 |
| Initial inventory | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| Opening marketing expense | $15,000 | $20,000 |
| Insurance | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| Training expenses | $1,000 | $5,000 |
| Additional funds, 6 months | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Sum of rows | $232,000 | $520,000 |
| Printed TOTAL EXPENDITURES row | $211,000 | $510,000 |
Source: Jiffy Lube FDD, issued March 27, 2026, as amended July 1, 2026, Item 7. The $17,500 conversion fee row applies only to conversions and is left out of both sums. Ask the franchisor which total its lenders use before you size a loan. For a line-by-line guide to Item 7, see our page on what a franchise costs.
How do automotive franchise royalties work?
Twelve of the 13 systems charge a percentage of sales, from 3% at Fix Auto and ProColor Collision to 10% at Midas. Christian Brothers Automotive charges on profit. Meineke and Midas vary the rate by product category, and Valvoline, Jiffy Lube, Maaco and Midas cut the rate in the first 6 to 24 months. Minimum royalties apply at 6 brands (Item 6 of each FDD).
| Brand | Royalty basis (Item 6) | Minimum | Opening reduction | Brand or ad fund (Item 6) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Optix Tint | 6% of gross sales | None stated | None stated | 2% Brand Development Fund |
| Christian Brothers Automotive | 50% of monthly Split Profits | Unshared Expenses trigger an equal Royalty Fee | None stated | Marketing Fee, regional programs |
| Fix Auto | 3% of monthly Gross Sales + 3% of quarterly sales growth | $2,000 a month | None stated | 0.75%, up to $950 a month |
| Jiffy Lube | 4% of Gross Sales, 3% if paid on time | None stated | 0% for first 6 months (new to system) | 1.5% national + 2.5% cooperative |
| Kennedy Transmission | 6% of Gross Revenues | $12,000 year 1, $18,000 after | None stated | 6% Advertising Fund |
| Maaco | 8% of gross receipts | None stated | 4% for first 6 months (new build) | Greater of $1,200 a week or market budget |
| Meineke | 7% exhaust, 5.5% engine and transmission, 5% other, 4% batteries, 3% tires | $20,800 a year | Conversion program reduction | 8% Meineke Advertising Fund |
| Midas | 10% of Net Revenue, 6% tires, 2% batteries | None stated | 60% off year 1, 40% off year 2 (new franchisee) | No separate fund; half of royalties go to marketing |
| Milex / Mr. Transmission | 7% of weekly Gross Sales, cap 10% | $250 a week | None stated | 1% or $250 a month |
| ProColor Collision | 3% of monthly Gross Sales | $2,000 a month | Conversion reduction | 0.75% |
| Take 5 Oil Change | 7% of Gross Sales | None stated | None stated | 5% Marketing Funds |
| Tint World | 6% of Gross Revenues | $500 a week from month 7 | None stated | Up to 6% |
| Valvoline Instant Oil Change | 2% of AGR months 1 to 12, 3% months 13 to 24, then 6% or 4% to 6% graduated | None stated | Built into the step-up | Up to 2%, capped at $7,344 for 2026 openings |
The Christian Brothers model is the outlier. “Split Profits” means all revenue minus approved Shared Expenses, and up to $60,000 of combined owner and family salary counts as a Shared Expense (Item 6, Note 2). A $550 monthly accounting fee, a $200 monthly IT fee and a 15-year initial term with three 5-year renewals come with it (Christian Brothers FDD, Item 6).
What do fees take from each $100,000 of sales?
Applying each printed rate to a round $100,000 of gross sales shows the combined royalty and required fund contributions for the 11 systems that bill on sales. Christian Brothers bills on profit and Maaco adds a flat weekly marketing fee of at least $1,200, so neither fits the format. This is arithmetic on the FDD rates, not a sales forecast for any shop.
| Brand | Royalty | Required fund or ad contribution | Total per $100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Optix Tint | $6,000 | $2,000 | $8,000 |
| Fix Auto | $3,000 | $750 | $3,750 plus any Growth Fee |
| Jiffy Lube | $4,000 ($3,000 paid on time) | $4,000 (1.5% + 2.5%) | $8,000 ($7,000 paid on time) |
| Kennedy Transmission | $6,000 | $6,000 | $12,000 |
| Meineke | $3,000 to $7,000 | $8,000 | $11,000 to $15,000 |
| Midas | $10,000 on general service | Included in royalty | $10,000 |
| Milex / Mr. Transmission | $7,000 | $1,000 | $8,000 |
| ProColor Collision | $3,000 | $750 | $3,750 |
| Take 5 Oil Change | $7,000 | $5,000 | $12,000 |
| Tint World | $6,000 | Up to $6,000 | Up to $12,000 |
| Valvoline (after month 24, 6% rate) | $6,000 | Up to $2,000 fund + at least $3,000 local | Up to $11,000 |
Minimums change the math for a slow first year. Dividing each annual minimum by its percentage gives the yearly gross sales below which the minimum, not the percentage, sets what you pay.
| Brand | Annual minimum (arithmetic) | Rate | Minimum binds below |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fix Auto | $2,000 x 12 = $24,000 | 3% | $800,000 |
| Kennedy Transmission (year 2 on) | $18,000 | 6% | $300,000 |
| Meineke | $20,800 | 5% (other services) | $416,000 |
| Milex / Mr. Transmission | $250 x 52 = $13,000 | 7% | $185,714 |
| ProColor Collision | $2,000 x 12 = $24,000 | 3% | $800,000 |
| Tint World | $500 x 52 = $26,000 | 6% | $433,333 |
Across 259 FDDs in all sectors, our franchise royalty rates study shows how these automotive rates compare with other industries.
Which automotive brands protect a territory?
Item 12 answers this, and the wording misleads on a quick read. The FTC Franchise Rule at 16 CFR 436.5(l) requires a franchisor to print “You will not receive an exclusive territory” when the grant is not fully exclusive, yet Fix Auto, Milex, Take 5, Tint World and Valvoline print that sentence and still promise a 1 to 3 mile radius free of new units.
| Brand | Item 12 protection (as printed) | Item 19 in FDD? | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Optix Tint | About 100,000 population or 3-mile radius, whichever is less | Yes, affiliate and franchise locations | FDD |
| Christian Brothers Automotive | Exclusive geographic Territory, size set in Exhibit A | Yes, restated to 50% Split Profits | FDD |
| Fix Auto | No new Fix Auto shop within 1 mile while in Good Standing | Yes, 170 shops | FDD |
| Jiffy Lube | No franchised or company center within 3 miles without consent | Yes, historical gross sales | FDD |
| Kennedy Transmission | Exclusive Territory, 2-mile radius | No | FDD |
| Maaco | No exclusive territory; at most 1 Center per 50,000 persons in the CBSA | Yes, 317 centers | FDD |
| Meineke | 2-mile Protected Area; right of first refusal to 3 miles; 1 center per 50,000 vehicles | Yes, 549 centers | FDD |
| Midas | Specific location only; no exclusive territory | Yes, 856 franchisees | FDD |
| Milex / Mr. Transmission | No other center within a 3-mile radius | Yes, single-brand centers | FDD |
| ProColor Collision | Zip-code Territory sized to about 25% of available collision spend | No | FDD |
| Take 5 Oil Change | Territory generally a 2-mile aerial radius | Yes, affiliate-owned centers | FDD |
| Tint World | Designated Territory of at least a 2-mile radius, smaller in dense areas | Yes, franchise centers | FDD |
| Valvoline Instant Oil Change | 2-mile radius; affiliates may buy other quick lubes there under other marks | Yes, company and franchise centers | FDD |
Read the reserved rights next to the radius. Valvoline’s affiliates may operate acquired quick lubes under different marks inside the 2-mile Territory, and Tint World allows other franchisees to run Mobile Services in yours (Item 12 of each FDD). Our franchise territory rights study compares these clauses across sectors.
Item 19 is the only place an FDD may state sales or profit data. The table records whether one exists, not its figures; read Item 19 of the current FDD for those. Our Item 19 research explains what each type of representation covers.
How much of each automotive system is company-owned?
The quick lube brands run large company-owned fleets next to their franchisees. At the end of the latest year in each FDD, Take 5 operated 710 of 1,142 centers itself (62.2%) and Valvoline’s affiliate VIOC operated 976 of 2,039 (47.9%). Seven of the 13 systems reported zero company-owned outlets (Item 20, Table 1).
Take 5 ran 710 of 1,142 centers itself at the end of 2024; Valvoline’s affiliate ran 976 of 2,039 at the end of 2025. Source: Item 20, Table 1, of each FDD, accessed October 2026.
A franchisor that runs its own centers competes for sites and staff in the same markets, but it also tests prices and processes on its own money. Jiffy Lube reported 318 company-owned centers at the end of 2025, down from 359 at the end of 2023, and Midas showed 111 company-owned shops in 2025 after none in 2024 (Item 20 of each FDD).
The 2017 Economic Census, the latest franchise tabulation, counted 55.5% of US oil change and lubrication establishments as franchised, against 8.6% of all automotive service establishments (US Census Bureau, EC1700FRAN).
Can you finance an automotive franchise with an SBA loan?
Yes, and the loan files show which brands lenders have funded. From FY2020 to June 30, 2026, SBA 7(a) and 504 records list 105 loans under the Meineke Car Care Center franchise code and 69 under Christian Brothers Automotive (SBA FOIA loan data). Counts reflect lender activity, not brand quality.
| SBA franchise code (alphabetical) | Automotive service loans, FY2020 to Jun 30, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Black Optix Tint | 11 (from FY2024) |
| Christian Brothers Automotive | 69 |
| Fix Auto | 24 |
| Jiffy Lube | 31 |
| Kennedy Transmission Brake & Auto Service | 1 |
| Maaco | 66 |
| Meineke Car Care Center | 105 |
| Midas | 74 |
| Milex Complete Auto Care | 2 |
| Mr. Transmission | 20 |
| ProColor Collision | 8 |
| Take 5 Oil Change | 29 |
| Tint World | 67 |
| Valvoline Instant Oil Change, License Agreement | 9 |
Meineke’s franchise code carries 105 SBA automotive service loans from FY2020 to June 30, 2026, Kennedy’s 1. Source: SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA data, accessed October 2026.
Counts come from the brand registry in our automotive statistics report, which keeps only loans under automotive service NAICS codes and shows no borrower names. Lenders also check the SBA Franchise Directory before approving a franchise loan; our SBA franchise loan study covers rates, sizes and the directory step.
What do popular automotive franchise guides get wrong?
Several top-ranking automotive franchise guides print fees without an FDD date, and some no longer match the filing. We checked 5 of their claims against the current FDD. Each guide is described, not named; the FDD column links the primary source.
| Claim in a top-ranking guide | What the current FDD says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Brothers franchise fee $135,000 (2025 ranking guide) | Initial franchise fee $85,000; Item 7 $515,250 to $650,400 | FDD, Apr 17, 2026, Items 5 and 7 |
| Midas “monthly royalty 10%” (2024 guide) | 10% standard, 6% tires, 2% batteries; 60% and 40% reductions in years 1 and 2 for new franchisees | FDD, Apr 16, 2026, Item 6 |
| Jiffy Lube investment $232,000 to $442,650 (2025 ranking guide) | $232,000 to $520,000 excluding real estate | FDD, Jul 1, 2026, cover and Item 7 |
| Valvoline royalty “~5%” (2026 guide) | 2% of AGR year 1, 3% year 2, then 6% or graduated 4% to 6% | FDD, Dec 26, 2025, Item 6 |
| Meineke royalty 5% (2026 guide) | Greater of $20,800 a year or 3% to 7% by product category | FDD, Item 6 |
Which automotive franchise format fits your situation?
Four facts sort most buyers: whether you already own a shop, your total budget, how you want the royalty calculated and whether you need a protected radius. The decision table applies the Item 5, 6, 7 and 12 figures above; the flowchart shows the same logic. It narrows the list for FDD review and is not a recommendation.
| If | Then compare | Why (FDD figure) |
|---|---|---|
| You own an operating repair, body or tint shop | Conversion formats: Fix Auto, ProColor Collision, Midas, Take 5, Meineke, Tint World, Kennedy | Item 7 low of $55,100, $38,300, $143,400 and $287,145; conversion fees of $20,000 (Meineke), $24,950 (Tint World), $10,000 (Kennedy) |
| Your total budget is under $250,000 and you own no shop | Kennedy, Black Optix Tint, Valvoline (leased site), Meineke, Jiffy Lube | Item 7 low of $88,500, $154,100, $192,375, $224,898 and $232,000 |
| You want the royalty tied to profit, not sales | Christian Brothers Automotive | 50% of monthly Split Profits; lease from the franchisor at $22,000 to $38,000 a month base rent |
| Your first-year sales may run below $300,000 | Brands without a fixed minimum, or a minimum that binds lower | Minimums bind below $800,000 (Fix Auto, ProColor), $433,333 (Tint World), $416,000 (Meineke) |
| You need a stated radius free of new units | Fix Auto (1 mile); Kennedy, Meineke, Take 5, Tint World, Valvoline (2 miles); Jiffy Lube, Milex (3 miles) | Item 12 of each FDD |
| You want sales or profit data before signing | Any brand except Kennedy and ProColor Collision | 11 of 13 FDDs include an Item 19 |
Conversion terms differ in more than the fee. Our conversion franchising research compares royalty ramps and eligibility rules across 259 FDDs.
What should you check in an automotive FDD before signing?
The FTC Franchise Rule, 16 CFR 436.2(a), requires the franchisor to give you its current FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign or pay. Use those 14 days to check these 7 points in order, each against the item that governs it. Our guide to the franchise disclosure document explains all 23 items.
- Item 5: the fee for your format, including conversion and veteran rates (Midas $17,500 conversion; Jiffy Lube may waive the fee for honorably discharged veterans).
- Item 6: the royalty base, every minimum and every fund, then run your own sales cases through the $100,000 table above.
- Item 7: the format line you will open, whether real estate is included, and the working-capital months (Jiffy Lube budgets 6).
- Item 12: the radius, the reserved rights and whether other franchisees may serve customers inside it.
- Item 19: whether it covers franchised or company-owned units, and how many (Take 5 Part I covers affiliate-owned centers).
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers by state for the last 3 years, plus the company-owned count.
- Item 21: audited financial statements of the franchisor, read with a CPA.
Hiring is the operating constraint behind most of these models. The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 825,800 automotive service technician jobs in 2025, a median pay of $50,620 a year (May 2025) and about 66,200 openings a year (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook). This comparison is general information from public filings, not legal, financial or investment advice; have a franchise attorney read the franchise agreement itself.
A consultant can shortlist systems against these 4 filters but is paid by franchisors, so ask how; our page on what a franchise consultant does covers what to ask one.
How we compiled this
We read 13 Clean FDDs filed with the Minnesota Department of Commerce CARDS registry and issued between April 1, 2025 and April 29, 2026 (two amended into July 2026), taking Items 5, 6, 7, 12, 19 and 20 from the PDF text and rechecking every table in layout mode in October 2026. SBA counts come from the June 30, 2026 FOIA files. We excluded Item 19 figures, car rental and parts distribution systems, and Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists, whose Item 20 table did not extract cleanly. Our franchise disclosure database holds the wider 259-FDD sample.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to open an automotive franchise?
In 13 current automotive FDDs, Item 7 estimates start at $38,300 for a ProColor Collision conversion and reach $3,994,000 for a ground-up Maaco Center. New-build general repair shops sit higher: Midas lists $385,450 to $940,050 for a new 8-bay shop and Christian Brothers Automotive $515,250 to $650,400. Initial fees run from $10,000 (Fix Auto) to $85,000 (Christian Brothers).
How much does a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise cost?
The Christian Brothers Automotive FDD issued April 17, 2026 lists an $85,000 initial franchise fee and an Item 7 total of $515,250 to $650,400, of which $392,500 to $419,000 is paid to the franchisor. You lease the building from the franchisor at about $22,000 to $38,000 base rent a month, and the Royalty Fee is 50% of monthly Split Profits (Item 6).
Which is the best automotive franchise?
This site does not rank brands. The FDDs show trade-offs instead: Fix Auto and ProColor Collision charge 3% royalties but carry $2,000 monthly minimums, Take 5 charges 7% plus 5% to its Marketing Funds, and Christian Brothers takes 50% of profit. Match the royalty base, territory radius and Item 7 format to your capital and experience, then read each Item 19.
Do I need automotive experience to own an auto repair franchise?
Each FDD sets its training program in Item 11 and owner participation rules in Item 15; check both for the brand you consider. Whatever the rule, the shop depends on hired technicians: the Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 825,800 automotive service technician jobs in 2025 and about 66,200 openings a year, so staffing plans matter as much as your own skills.
How much do automotive franchise owners make?
We do not publish earnings figures. Owner income depends on sales, the Item 6 royalty and fund rates (3% to 10% of sales, or 50% of profit at Christian Brothers), rent and technician payroll. Eleven of the 13 FDDs include an Item 19 with historical data; Kennedy Transmission and ProColor Collision do not. Read Item 19 of the current FDD for the figures and the outlets they cover.
Can you get an SBA loan for an automotive franchise?
Yes. SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA records show automotive service loans under these brands from FY2020 to June 30, 2026, including 105 under the Meineke Car Care Center code, 74 under Midas, 69 under Christian Brothers Automotive and 67 under Tint World. The lender decides eligibility and checks the brand against the SBA Franchise Directory before approving.
What is the lowest-cost automotive franchise format?
Among the 13 FDDs, the lowest Item 7 estimates are conversions of an existing shop: ProColor Collision from $38,300 and Fix Auto from $55,100. For a buyer without a shop, Kennedy Transmission Brake & Auto Service lists $88,500 to $162,500 and Black Optix Tint $154,100 to $259,500. Low estimates exclude financing costs and assume favorable site terms.
Sources
- Black Optix Tint Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 1, 2025, Black Optix Tint Franchising, LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 17, 2026, Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Fix Auto Franchise Disclosure Document, issued June 13, 2025, as amended December 29, 2025, FUSA Franchisor SPV LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Jiffy Lube Franchise Disclosure Document, issued March 27, 2026, as amended July 1, 2026, Jiffy Lube, LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Kennedy Transmission Brake & Auto Service Franchise Disclosure Document, issued May 21, 2025, Kennedy Franchising USA, Inc., Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Maaco Franchise Disclosure Document, issued June 20, 2025, as amended December 15, 2025, Maaco Franchisor SPV LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Meineke Franchise Disclosure Document, issued June 20, 2025, as amended December 29, 2025, Meineke Franchisor SPV LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Midas Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 16, 2026, Midas International, LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Milex Complete Auto Care / Mr. Transmission Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 29, 2026, Moran Family of Brands, LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- ProColor Collision Franchise Disclosure Document, issued March 28, 2026, ProColor Collision USA LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Take 5 Oil Change Franchise Disclosure Document, issued June 13, 2025, as amended December 29, 2025, Take 5 Franchisor SPV LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Tint World Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 17, 2026, Tint World, LLC, Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchise Disclosure Document, issued December 26, 2025, Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchising, Inc., Minnesota CARDS. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- 16 CFR 436.5, Disclosure items, Legal Information Institute. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- 16 CFR 436.2, Obligation to furnish documents, Legal Information Institute. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Average age of vehicles in the US, S&P Global Mobility, May 2025. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- SBA 7(a) and 504 FOIA loan data, as of June 30, 2026, U.S. Small Business Administration. Accessed 2026-10-20.
- 2017 Economic Census, Franchise Status (EC1700FRAN), U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed 2026-10-20.