2026 Guide•29 franchises analyzed
Auto repair franchise investments start around $25K for conversion models and exceed $1M for large service centers. The economics depend on service type, technician requirements, and average ticket size.
Best Auto Repair Franchises to Own in 2026
Auto repair franchise investments start around $25K for conversion models and exceed $1M for large service centers. The economics depend on service type, technician requirements, and average ticket size.
The auto repair and maintenance industry exceeds $200 billion annually. Franchise models span oil change specialists (high volume, lower tickets), full-service repair (higher tickets, skilled labor), and specialty services like transmission or collision. Each has different investment requirements and margin structures.
This analysis covers 29 auto repair franchises using data from their Franchise Disclosure Documents—investment ranges, revenue per location, technician requirements, and franchisee turnover rates. Retention data from Item 20 indicates which brands support franchisee success.
Data source: 2026 FDD filings · 29 franchises analyzed · Updated January 2026
Key Findings from FDD Analysis
29
auto repair franchises analyzed
$472K - $1.2M
avg. investment
$40K
avg. franchise fee
$1.5M
avg. revenue (Item 19)
How We Ranked These Auto repair franchises
This page ranks auto repair franchises by total locations, reported revenue from Item 19, projected growth, and minimum investment. The industry splits between quick-lube (high volume, simple operations) and full-service (skilled technicians, higher tickets). Investment ranges from around $25K for conversions to over $1M for large service centers.
Top Auto repair franchises at a Glance
Ranked by Number of Locations
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Locations | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JIFFY LUBE | $232K - $520K | $35K | 1,721 | $1.1M |
| MATCO TOOLS CORPORATION, MATCO TOOLS AND MATCO | $108K - $383K | $10K | 1,502 | $520K |
| VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE OR INSTANT OIL CHANGE | N/A | $30K | 1,071 | $1.8M |
| MIDAS SHOP | N/A | $35K | 941 | $1.2M |
| Meineke | $225K - $1.2M | $45K | 716 | $971K |
| Tire Pros | $111K - $266K | $7K | 605 | - |
| UBREAKIFIX BY ASURION | $151K - $448K | $40K | 551 | $583K |
| Carstar | $24K - $165K | $10K | 471 | $3.2M |
| BIG O TIRES (BUSINESS FORMAT FRANCHISE) | $326K - $1.3M | $18K | 461 | $2.8M |
| PacLease | $454K - $904K | $4K | 437 | - |
10 Best Auto repair franchises Ranked
Litigation
Investment
$232K - $520K
Franchise Fee
$35K
Locations
1,721
Avg. Revenue
$1.1M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
$108K - $383K
Franchise Fee
$10K
Locations
1,502
Avg. Revenue
$520K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
N/A
Franchise Fee
$30K
Locations
1,071
Avg. Revenue
$1.8M
Source: 2026 FDD filingView details
Litigation
Investment
N/A
Franchise Fee
$35K
Locations
941
Avg. Revenue
$1.2M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$225K - $1.2M
Franchise Fee
$45K
Locations
716
Avg. Revenue
$971K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingBankruptcy
Investment
$111K - $266K
Franchise Fee
$7K
Locations
605
Royalty
N/A
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$151K - $448K
Franchise Fee
$40K
Locations
551
Avg. Revenue
$583K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$24K - $165K
Franchise Fee
$10K
Locations
471
Avg. Revenue
$3.2M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Litigation
Investment
$326K - $1.3M
Franchise Fee
$18K
Locations
461
Avg. Revenue
$2.8M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Investment
$454K - $904K
Franchise Fee
$4K
Locations
437
Royalty
1.0%
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Highest Profit Auto repair franchises
Ranked by net income, EBITDA, or owner earnings from Item 19 FDD disclosures. Not all franchises disclose profit data.
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$530K - $645K
Franchise Fee
$135K
Locations
265
Net Profit
$605K
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
Litigation
Investment
$550K - $680K
Franchise Fee
$135K
Locations
302
Net Profit
$580K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Investment
$291K - $917K
Franchise Fee
$40K
Locations
0
EBITDA
$309K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Litigation
Investment
$326K - $1.3M
Franchise Fee
$18K
Locations
461
Net Profit
$259K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
$291K - $917K
Franchise Fee
$40K
Locations
209
EBITDA
$227K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Highest Revenue Auto repair franchises
Ranked by average gross revenue per location from Item 19 FDD disclosures.
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$24K - $165K
Franchise Fee
$10K
Locations
471
Avg. Revenue
$3.2M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Litigation
Investment
$55K - $850K
Franchise Fee
$10K
Locations
212
Avg. Revenue
$3.2M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Litigation
Investment
$550K - $680K
Franchise Fee
$135K
Locations
302
Avg. Revenue
$2.9M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Litigation
Investment
$326K - $1.3M
Franchise Fee
$18K
Locations
461
Avg. Revenue
$2.8M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$530K - $645K
Franchise Fee
$135K
Locations
265
Avg. Revenue
$2.8M
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
Fastest Growing Auto repair franchises
Ranked by projected new locations from Item 20 of their FDD filings.
Growing
Investment
$108K - $383K
Franchise Fee
$10K
Locations
1,502
Avg. Revenue
$520K
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
N/A
Franchise Fee
N/A
Locations
432
Avg. Revenue
$1.2M
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
Growing
Investment
N/A
Franchise Fee
$30K
Locations
1,071
Avg. Revenue
$1.8M
Source: 2026 FDD filingView details
GrowingBankruptcy
Investment
$111K - $266K
Franchise Fee
$7K
Locations
605
Royalty
N/A
Source: 2025 FDD filingView details
GrowingLitigation
Investment
$530K - $645K
Franchise Fee
$135K
Locations
265
Avg. Revenue
$2.8M
Source: 2024 FDD filingView details
Most Affordable Auto repair franchises
Ranked by minimum initial investment from Item 7 of their FDD filings.
Sorted by Minimum Investment
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Locations | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carstar | $24K - $165K | $10K | 471 | $3.2M |
| Fix Auto | $55K - $850K | $10K | 212 | $3.2M |
| NOVUS, NOVUS GLASS | $70K - $285K | $11K | 128 | $618K |
| MATCO TOOLS CORPORATION, MATCO TOOLS AND MATCO | $108K - $383K | $10K | 1,502 | $520K |
| Tire Pros | $111K - $266K | $7K | 605 | - |
Who Should Consider Auto repair franchises?
Auto repair franchises suit buyers who can manage technician recruitment and retention. Industry experience helps but isn't required—many brands offer strong operational systems. Quick-lube concepts work for investors wanting simpler operations; full-service suits those seeking higher revenue per customer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auto repair franchises
How much does it cost to open a auto repair franchise?
The average initial investment for auto repair franchises ranges from $472K to $1.2M, based on our analysis of 29 FDD filings. The average franchise fee is $40K. The most affordable option is Carstar, starting at just $24K.
What is the most profitable auto repair franchise?
According to Item 19 financial performance disclosures, Carstar reports the highest average unit revenue at $3.2M. Other high-performing auto repair franchises include Fix Auto ($3.2M), CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE ($2.9M), BIG O TIRES (BUSINESS FORMAT FRANCHISE) ($2.8M). Note: Not all franchises disclose Item 19 data.
What is the largest auto repair franchise by number of locations?
JIFFY LUBE is the largest with 1,721 locations nationwide. Other major auto repair franchises include MATCO TOOLS CORPORATION, MATCO TOOLS AND MATCO (1,502 locations), VALVOLINE INSTANT OIL CHANGE OR INSTANT OIL CHANGE (1,071 locations), MIDAS SHOP (941 locations), Meineke (716 locations). Combined, the top 5 auto repair franchises operate over 5,951 locations.
What is the cheapest auto repair franchise to open?
The most affordable auto repair franchises by initial investment are: Carstar ($24K - $165K), Fix Auto ($55K - $850K), NOVUS, NOVUS GLASS ($70K - $285K), MATCO TOOLS CORPORATION, MATCO TOOLS AND MATCO ($108K - $383K), Tire Pros ($111K - $266K). Lower investment often means smaller format, mobile/home-based, or service-based models.
How do I evaluate a auto repair franchise opportunity?
Review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) carefully. Key sections include: Item 5 (fees), Item 7 (initial investment), Item 19 (financial performance, if disclosed), and Item 20 (outlet information including terminations and closures). Our database extracts this data from official FDDs to help you compare auto repair franchises objectively.
Want to explore more auto repair franchises?
Browse all auto repair franchises in our database with advanced filters for investment range, location count, and more.
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