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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Saf-T Auto Centers vs TechZone Airbag Service including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $85,000 - $100,000 | $51,500 - $110,400 |
Franchise Fee | $15,000 | $15,000 - $35,000 |
Royalty Fee | $500/mo. | 8.5%+marketing fee 2% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1978 | 1992 |
Year Franchised | 1986 | 1994 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | - | $5K |
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/No | No/No |
Start-up Costs | No/No | No/No |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/No |
Inventory | No/Yes | No/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | - |
Support | Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising |
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) |
Franchise can be run from home. 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | - |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | No | Yes |
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.
In the early '90s, engineer Douglas C. Hansen was working for an aerospace firm developing airbag inflators. He discovered there was a lack of understanding regarding airbag systems'how they worked, how they should be handled and how they should be repaired.
Propelled by that discovery and recent legislation that required all cars to be equipped with driver and passenger airbags, Hansen and his wife, Victoria, founded Airbag Service. Franchisees work with repair shops and consumers in testing, maintaining and replacing airbags.
The company has co-branding relationships with Novus and Apple Auto Glass.