Car-X Auto Service vs CARSTAR Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Car-X Auto Service Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
Investment $214,000 - $326,000$298,200 - $804,300
Franchise Fee $25,000$20,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee 5%1.5%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 19711989
Year Franchised 19731989
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Car-X Auto Service Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Managerial skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Car-X Auto Service Franchise
    CARSTAR Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Car-X Auto Service Franchise
    CARSTAR Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters, Available at franchisee's location On-The-Job Training: 12 hours Classroom Training: 20 hours Additional Training: Regional training, 1-2 days; Ongoing training at franchisee's location as needed
    Support Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing 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 Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
    Operations 58% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5

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

    		Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 8 - 9

    Expansion Plans
     
    Car-X Auto Service Franchise
    CARSTAR Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoYes
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    About Car-X Auto Service

    Dedicated to serving you for almost 30 years, Car-X Auto Service is more than just a place that repairs your vehicle. In fact, Car-X prides itself on providing you with a commitment to our Five Star Service. We began franchising in 1973 and have grown to become one of the dominant brands for undercar service in the midwestern U.S. Income opportunities are provided primarily by brakes, exhaust, road handling, steering systems, tune-ups, air conditioning, tires and oil changes for all makes of cars and light trucks.
     

    Car-X franchise owners have the freedom to run their own businesses while sharing the resources of a proven and trusted brand with almost 50 years of experience. Advantages of joining the Car-X Family include (but are not limited to):

    • Brand recognition and outstanding customer retention rates
    • Start-up assistance and continued support
    • Negotiated vendor pricing and buying power
    • Technical onsite and online team training programs
    • Marketing and advertising support
    • Lowest royalty and start-up fees in the industry

    About CARSTAR

    CARSTAR is a champion of the independent collision repair operators, consequently, CARSTAR is the largest automotive collision repair franchise in North America. The well publicized industry dynamitics: declining repair opportunities, acceleration in shops being de-selected from Insurance referral programs, excess repair capacity, increased competition from Multi-Shop Operators and Consolidators, and scarcity of skilled labor, has changed how the Independent Collision Repair Operator needs to conduct business. The CARSTAR Franchise program offers many solutions to these and other issues in which you and your business may be facing. We believe we are the champion for quality Independent shops, providing effective training solutions, staying involved in National and Local Industry Associations and developing sale and marketing programs to help our Franchisees compete in this turbulent market.

    CARSTAR leverages the purchasing power of Driven Brands to provide tremendous benefits for our CARSTAR store owners. Nearly 50 corporately managed purchasing programs provide our CARSTAR partners on average $25,000 or more in cost savings and rebates. With larger volume stores easily surpassing that amount in rebates. Store owners also benefit from a national fleet program, top vendor partnerships and support from national service providers.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a conversion CARSTAR franchise is $23,500 to $165,300. This includes $10,000 to $20,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a new (ground-up) CARSTAR franchise is $298,200 to $804,300. This includes $10,000 to $20,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.

    "Top""  "Entrepreneur
    #17 in Canada's Top franchises.
    #120 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #164 in Franchise 500 for 2021.