Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine vs Master Mechanic Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
Master Mechanic Franchise
Investment $55,000 - $761,135$175,000 - $225,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 5%6%
Advertising Fee 0.5%3%
Year Founded 19781982
Year Franchised 19791983
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
Master Mechanic Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    Master Mechanic Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    Master Mechanic Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 35 hours Additional Training: Annual regional meetings -
    Support 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: 8

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

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    Master Mechanic Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    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

    "franchiserankingscom"   "Entrepreneur
    #84 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #161 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #167 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About Master Mechanic

    The business provides full-service automotive repair and maintenance services to both retail and commercial clients through its franchisees, with special emphasis on drivability and engine performance. This is an excellent opportunity for existing independent garages looking to rebrand or for those with automotive and/or business experience who are considering the benefits of owning their own business. Many consumers today are in desperate search for an auto repair/maintenance facility who can provide this level of trust in your mechanic to the same extent as your doctor or dentist -- this is the relationship Master Mechanic works very hard to create. The independent auto repair/maintenance market is rather diverse with specialists in everything from oil changes to exhausts to tires to transmissions...creating confusion for many consumers as he/she must now be expected to know what's wrong with their car, then know who specializes in that service and then undertake the selection process as to which shop to do business. At Master Mechanic, there is neither confusion nor doubt because we are full-service facilities -- everything from a basic oil change to complex engine diagnostics all performed by licenced technicians. Let's take a look at the options...the fast lube market lacks the technical expertise for anything beyond fluid changes...the big box stores have been branded with perceived lower cost but unreliable service...while the new car dealerships tend to be very costly leaving the independents like Master Mechanic Franchises as a very attractive alternative.