Dealer Specialties
Dealer Specialties International franchises businesses specializing in the sale, production, and application of vehicle photography, data collection, and descriptive window stickers to facilitate new and used vehicle sales at automobile dealerships. Franchisees use the company's proprietary system to create unique photos, labels, and vehicle data distribution services, helping dealers comply with FTC regulations. The target market is automobile dealerships seeking enhanced sales tools and compliance solutions.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
Royalty: greater of $100/mo per Dealer Lot or sum of usage fees (83¢/VIN Label + 3¢/VIN Advertising + 65¢/clipping + $1.75/vehicle Photo Production); no ad fund; no fixed monthly fees excluding royalty.
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
This franchise did not provide Item 19 financial performance data.
Be careful if you are interested in investing. The lack of financial performance representations may indicate limited data or varying results across franchises.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How Dealer Specialties Compares to Other Automotive Services Franchises
Key Insights
- One of the lowest investment costs in Automotive Services (ranked #2 of 24)
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Dealer Specialties Current | $17K - $45K | $10K | N/A | 25 |
| Tire Pros | $12K - $137K | $7K | N/A | 644 |
| MICHELIN RETREAD TECHNOLOGIES (MICHELIN COMMERCIAL SERVICE NETWORK) | $189K - $4.3M | $3K | N/A | 340 |
| CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE | $550K - $680K | $135K | 50.0% | 302 |
| CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE | $530K - $645K | $135K | 50.0% | 265 |
| TOMMY'S EXPRESS | $5.0M - $8.5M | $50K | 4.0% | 206 |
Automotive Services Average 24 franchises | $442K - $985K | $47K | 12.8% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 24 Automotive Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+28 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for Dealer Specialties franchisees (2011 - 2011)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Primarily enforcement of restrictive covenants and non-compete agreements against former franchisees for post-termination competition, including one dispute initiated by termination for non-payment of fees.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a Dealer Specialties franchise?
The total initial investment to open a Dealer Specialties franchise ranges from $17,400 to $44,900. This includes a franchise fee of $10,000.
How many Dealer Specialties franchise locations are there?
As of the 2024 FDD, Dealer Specialties has 25 franchise locations.
Can you get an SBA loan for a Dealer Specialties franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for Dealer Specialties franchises. Historical data shows 1 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for Dealer Specialties franchisees, with an average loan amount of $180,000. The historical default rate is 0.0%.
Is Dealer Specialties a good franchise to buy?
Dealer Specialties shows several positive indicators: low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in Dealer Specialties?
Talk to a franchise advisor to get personalized guidance and learn if Dealer Specialties is the right fit for you.
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