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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 |
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Investment | $62,250 - $163,600 | $49,000 |
Franchise Fee | $13,900 - $23,900 | $15,000 |
Royalty Fee | 6% | 7% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1986 | 1987 |
Year Franchised | 1990 | 1998 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5 years |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 5 years |
Renewal Fee | - | 1/2 of current franchise fee |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | - |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | Ad 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 |
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US Expansion | - | - |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | No |
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.
NO LONGER FRANCHISING