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GREASE MONKEY
Grease Monkey franchises operate quick-service automotive centers that provide oil changes, preventive maintenance services including fluid checks and fills, brake services, and select automotive products to the general public, targeting car and truck owners in urban, suburban, and smaller city areas. The business model revolves around a proprietary system with drive-through bays, no-appointment service under the Pit Crew Guarantee™, and franchising to single-unit, multi-unit, or conversion owners who adhere to brand standards. Centers compete in a highly competitive market against other quick-lube chains, garages, and big-box retailers.
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Franchise Costs
6% royalty + 0.5% national ad fund + $193-$369/mo POS maintenance fee
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 174 franchisee-owned centers open for more than one year as of December 31, 2025, operated the entire calendar year 2025, and provided complete Profit and Loss Statements.
* Weighted average gross revenue calculated from Chart I: (32 units × $438,063 + 24 units × $709,978 + 34 units × $900,152 + 30 units × $1,092,349 + 54 units × $1,693,209) / 174 total units = $1,068,197.77. Weighted average gross profit calculated similarly: (32 units × $329,502 + 24 units × $534,238 + 34 units × $671,081 + 30 units × $830,737 + 54 units × $1,284,339) / 174 total units = $807,235.32. Weighted average EBITDAR calculated similarly: (32 units × $16,692 + 24 units × $134,312 + 34 units × $166,351 + 30 units × $209,808 + 54 units × $398,698) / 174 total units = $214,008.61. EBITDA margin calculated as average_ebitda / average_gross_revenue = $214,008.61 / $1,068,197.77 = 0.2003. Median gross revenue, average net income, average net profit, and best guess profit range are null as overall figures were not explicitly provided, and there was insufficient information to estimate a net profit range beyond EBITDAR (which excludes D&A, interest, taxes, and occupancy costs).
Extracted Item 19 Section
Avg. Revenue: $1,068,198
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Unlock financial performance dataGREASE MONKEY Franchise Analysis
Grease Monkey entered franchising in 1978, carving out a niche in quick-service oil changes amid fierce competition from chains and retailers. Item 19 earnings disclosure paints a picture of revenue potential, while a robust SBA loan history and recent expansion tease operational realities. Yet litigation whispers and system metrics raise questions: does this veteran brand still rev smoothly for new investors?
The system's trajectory signals vitality—209 locations in 2024 swelled to 233 in 2025 (+11%), with 31 projected new units and just 2 terminations plus 1 non-renewal against 12 transfers, per FDD Items 20/21. Item 7 pegs initial investment at $708,057-$2,284,321 (median ~$1.5M), including $39,900 franchise fee; ongoing hits are 6% royalty, 0.5% ad fund, and $193-$369/month POS fees. SBA data shines: 102 loans averaging $867,418, underscoring lender confidence in automotive services. At 175 corporate-owned (75% of total), parent MidOcean Partners enforces standards tightly.
Item 19 reveals average gross revenue of $1,068,198 across units, but EBITDA margin at 0% flags thin profitability—likely breakeven after fees/labor in a high-volume, low-margin quick-lube model. This means owners need top-quartile ops to clear meaningful take-home, especially with competition and litigation notes (crossclaims in a gender discrimination class action). Growth momentum and revenue scale appeal to experienced multi-unit operators eyeing urban/suburban spots, but the wide invest range and zero margin underscore execution risks; it's a high-stakes play for those mastering drive-thru efficiency.
Analysis based on the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.
How GREASE MONKEY Compares
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 100% of Automotive Repair & Maintenance franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Automotive Repair & Maintenance
- One of the lowest SBA loan default rates in Automotive Repair & Maintenance
| Franchise | Investment | Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
GREASE MONKEY Current | $708K – $2.3M | $40K | 6.0% | 233 |
| JIFFY LUBE | $232K – $520K | $35K | N/A | 1,721 |
| Tire Pros | $111K – $266K | $7K | N/A | 605 |
| BIG O TIRES (BUSINESS FORMAT FRANCHISE) | $326K – $1.3M | $18K | 5.0% | 461 |
| Fix Auto | $55K – $850K | $10K | 3.0% | 212 |
| PRECISION TUNE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT | $182K – $478K | $25K | N/A | 209 |
Automotive Repair & Maintenance Average 15 franchises | $203K – $819K | $34K | 7.3% | – |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 15 Automotive Repair & Maintenance franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2025)
Outlets by state across the United States
+18 more states
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Unlock location growth dataSBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for GREASE MONKEY franchisees (2010 – 2025)
Loans by Year
SBA 7(a) loan activity over time
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
102 SBA loans on record
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Unlock SBA loan historyFranchisee Contacts
260 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.
260 Contacts Available
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Unlock contactsDue Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Crossclaims for breach of contract, indemnity, and contribution against franchisees (GK Oil, Grease Queen, Leitner) arising from a customer class action alleging gender discrimination in promotions.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
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Unlock due diligence reportsFrequently Asked Questions
The total initial investment to open a GREASE MONKEY franchise ranges from $708,057 to $2,284,321. This includes a franchise fee of $39,900. Ongoing royalty fees are 6.0% of gross sales.
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