Tuffy Auto Service Centers vs Dominion Auto Centers Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Tuffy Auto Service Centers vs Dominion Auto Centers including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
Dominion Auto Centers Franchise
Investment $224,000 - $413,500$50,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 2.5%-5%8%
Advertising Fee 5%$100 per vehicle sold, 2% of service revenue
Year Founded 19702012
Year Franchised 19712012
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
Dominion Auto Centers Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Needs to have some background in either auto repair or auto sales.

    Financing Options

     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Dominion Auto Centers Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/Yes
    Equipment No/Yes-/Yes
    Inventory No/Yes-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Dominion Auto Centers Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 104 hours Additional Training: At existing store Upfront training program, 24/7 online training and operating procedure archive access, social media marketing, event management, lead generation programs, supplier management/development programs, etc, etc.
    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 Platform -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 5

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

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Dominion Auto Centers Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Tuffy Auto Service Centers

    Charles Amy founded Tuffy Auto Service Centers when he opened the first Tuffy Muffler shop in 1970. The private company began franchising one year later and now has shops in several states. It is based in Toledo.

    If you purchase an area development franchise you must pay an additional area development fee that will be negotiated based on the number of franchises to be developed and the development schedule, but you will only pay an initial franchise fee of $5,000 for each franchise developed.

    #222 in Franchise 500 for 2020.

    About Dominion Auto Centers

    Canada's independent chain of Auto Dealership & Repair shops. Credit solutions for all customers and repair financing now available. Dominion Auto Centres� is Canada's first complete auto centre concept. Used Car/Truck Sales & Finance, Automotive Repair & Service, Tires, Towing Accessories and more! A truly complete concept and franchises are now available coast to coast.