Express Oil Change vs Merlin 200000 Mile Shops Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Express Oil Change vs Merlin 200000 Mile Shops including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Express Oil Change Franchise
Merlin 200000 Mile Shops Franchise
Investment $1,863,000 - $2,716,000$183,600 - $315,900
Franchise Fee $35,000$26,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee 5%4.9-6.9%
Advertising Fee 3%Local-
Year Founded 19791975
Year Franchised 19831975
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years20 years
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Express Oil Change Franchise
Merlin 200000 Mile Shops 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.


  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Management experience; customer service
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Express Oil Change Franchise
    Merlin 200000 Mile Shops Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Express Oil Change Franchise
    Merlin 200000 Mile Shops 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, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/appCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    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.

    		8% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Express Oil Change Franchise
    Merlin 200000 Mile Shops Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    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 Merlin 200000 Mile Shops

    Merlin is an upscale "under the car" service opportunity which specializes in exhaust, brakes, ride control, suspension & steering, and oil/lubrication services. As a full service business format franchise, Merlin's provides a 90% turnkey state-of-the-art facility, comprehensive training, aggressive marketing programs, and ongoing support.