Express Oil Change vs Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Express Oil Change vs Valvoline Instant Oil Change including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Express Oil Change Franchise
Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchise
Investment $1,863,000 - $2,716,000$181,000 - $3,158,500
Franchise Fee $35,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%4-6%
Advertising Fee 3%Local3%
Year Founded 19791986
Year Franchised 19831988
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Express Oil Change Franchise
Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchise
Experience

No previous auto mechanical experience or knowledge is necessary. We look for general business accumen, strong communication and people skills for motivating your staff and working with customers, a high level of energy, a positive attitude, a drive to succeed at your own business, and future goal orientation.


  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Express Oil Change Franchise
    Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesYes/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Express Oil Change Franchise
    Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 296 hours Classroom Training: 24 hours Additional Training: At training centers -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet PlatformNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appAd slicks
    Operations 85% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. There must be a partner running the operations.

    40% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (97% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Express Oil Change Franchise
    Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Express Oil Change

    Former gas station manager Jim Lunceford founded Express Oil Change in 1979 after hearing about a West Coast business that offered quick oil changes. Lunceford brought the concept to Alabama, opened four centers and began franchising in 1984. In 1996, franchisees Joe Watson and Ricky Brooks purchased Express Oil Change from Lunceford and began expanding the company into Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas. Two years later, the company purchased Tune-Up Clinics, a 28-store chain based in Atlanta. Twenty-five Tune-Up Clinic locations became Express Oil Change centers after the purchase.

    Seeking new franchise units in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Midwest, North Carolina, South, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest,
    Tennessee and Texas    

    About Valvoline Instant Oil Change

    We’re passionate about cars, as you might expect. But we’re really in the business of taking care of people. At Valvoline Instant Oil Change (VIOC) people are our greatest asset. We bring the quality of the Valvoline brand to the do-it-for-me quick lube customer. Today we have 900+ VIOC locations coast to coast, and we serve
    9 million customers a year. We don’t just change oil; we protect one of our customers’ most valuable investments. Because they rely on their vehicles, they rely on Valvoline Instant Oil Change.
    Valvoline Instant Oil Change is a division of The Valvoline Co. and was created in 1986 with the purchase of quick-lube centers throughout New York, Minneapolis and Michigan. The public company began franchising in 1988 and is based in Lexington, Kentucky.

    "Entrepreneur

    #57 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #20 in Franchise 500 for 2021.