Dent Doctor vs MARS Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Dent Doctor vs MARS including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Dent Doctor Franchise
MARS Franchise
Investment $62,250 - $163,600$49,000
Franchise Fee $13,900 - $23,900$15,000
Royalty Fee 6%7%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19861987
Year Franchised 19901998
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee -1/2 of current franchise fee


Business Experience Requirements

 
Dent Doctor Franchise
MARS Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • No automotive experience required
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Dent Doctor Franchise
    MARS 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

     
    Dent Doctor Franchise
    MARS Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingAd slicks, National media
    Operations 5% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Franchise can be run from home.

    0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Dent Doctor Franchise
    MARS Franchise
    US Expansion --
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Dent Doctor

    Thomas Harris founded Dent Doctor in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1986. This mobile and shop-based franchise provides paint-free dent repair to consumers, fleet companies and body shops.

    Dent Doctor, which began franchising in 1990, reported repairing over 350,000 vehicles in its first 14 years in business.

    Using tools and training exclusive to Dent Doctor, the backside of each dent is accessed and pressure is gently applied, removing the dent without harming the original finish. No dry ice, heat or suction is used. The dent will not "pop" back in later, and is a permanent repair.

    About MARS

    NO LONGER FRANCHISING