Saf-T Auto Centers vs Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Saf-T Auto Centers vs Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Saf-T Auto Centers Franchise
Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
Investment $85,000 - $100,000$55,000 - $761,135
Franchise Fee $15,000$35,000
Royalty Fee $500/mo.5%
Advertising Fee -0.5%
Year Founded 19781978
Year Franchised 19861979
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee -$5K


Business Experience Requirements
 
Saf-T Auto Centers Franchise
Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Saf-T Auto Centers Franchise
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Saf-T Auto Centers Franchise
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 35 hours Additional Training: Annual regional meetings
    Support Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter 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 slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 0% of all franchisees own more than one unit

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

    		 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

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

    Expansion Plans
     
    Saf-T Auto Centers Franchise
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Saf-T Auto Centers

    Founded in 1978, SAF-T Auto Centers are providing auto technicians a means to earn an independent living doing what they do best - repair cars.

    About Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine

    Founded in 1978, Grease Monkey centers provide preventive maintenance that meets manufacturers' recommendations for most makes and models of cars, with no appointment necessary. Grease Monkey International is the nation's largest independent franchisor of automotive oil change centers serving more than 2 million customers each year with 75% of them being return customers. Our "less hassle, more hustle!" customer experience is part of every signature Grease Monkey® service.

    Headquartered in Denver Colorado, the Grease Monkey® brand currently has more than 300 centers operating in the United States, Latin America, and China.
    GMI is not owned by a major oil company. Being independent means GMI's focus remains on helping customers properly maintain their car or truck, instead of selling a particular brand of oil. Since 1998, the company has offered a Monkey Shine program--a car wash adjacent to and in conjunction with the Grease Monkey Center.

    The estimated total investment necessary to begin operation of a Grease Monkey franchise ranges from $156,695 to $347,850, including between $5,000 and $50,000 which must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    If you elect to include a Monkey Shine Facility providing car wash services in conjunction with the Grease Monkey Center, the total investment increases between $151,650 and $761,135 depending on the configuration and size of your Monkey Shine Facility, none of which added costs is paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. Grease Monkey franchisees have the option to choose to operate a Monkey Shine Facility.
    Grease Monkey area developers acquire the right to develop multiple franchises, with a minimum of three Grease Monkey Centers in a designated development area. The total investment necessary to begin operation as an area developer to open three Grease Monkey Centers ranges from $55,000 to $65,000, all of which must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

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    #161 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #167 in Franchise 500 for 2021.