Auto-Lab vs Brake King Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
Brake King Franchise
Investment $128,750 - $317,500$121,750 - $277,533
Franchise Fee $27,500$50,000
Royalty Fee 6%5%
Advertising Fee 3%5% Local 2% Nat'l
Year Founded 19851966
Year Franchised 20040
Term Of Agreement -5 Years +5+5+5
Term Of Agreement -5 Years +5+5+5
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
Brake King Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
Brake King Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
Brake King Franchise
Training Continuous technical and management training programsYou will spend 4 weeks worth of training at one of our selected classroom locations. We will introduce you to the history of the company, conduct training on our way of doing business, hold lectures from industry professionals and introduce you to our professional team of vendors who are there to supply you with the best supplies in the automotive business. The Brake King Team will then culminate the training with on-the-job experience at our corporate store.
Support Auto-Lab, LLC offers support in all areas of business management and operations through our corporate office, located in Farmington Hills, MI, and our strategic vendor partners. Our support includes, but is not limited to, continuous technical and management training programs, group purchasing programs, group marketing and advertising programs, electronic purchasing through vendor partners, a program for HotLine support, instant information network, assistance with business opportunities, etc.*Pre-opening training support *Grand Opening Support *Operational support *Marketing Support
Marketing -A huge part of the Brake King brand is the innovative and aggressive way that we market ourselves. Through television, radio, internet and direct mail, Brake King USA is committed to developing advertising campaigns that are aimed at separating ourselves from the rest of the automotive industry.
Operations --

Expansion Plans
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
Brake King Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

About Auto-Lab

Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Centers is a full service auto repair and maintenance service franchise that has been operating since early 1989. Auto-Lab currently operates stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Arizona, California, and Florida. Auto-Lab offers an immense amount of franchise support from our corporate office as well as a highly respected brand image. We require less investment, a small franchise fee and more control of marketing and advertising associated with your target customer base. The Auto-Lab Business Management System is a computer program unique to Auto-Lab that will assist you in all areas of managing a successful
Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Center.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single unit Auto-Lab franchise is from $128,750 to $317,500. This includes $13,750 to $27,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. If you convert an existing auto care facility to an Auto-Lab single unit franchise, the total investment necessary is from $29,500 to $279,500, which includes $19,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.

About Brake King

Sam Hutchison opened Brake King in 1966 on Jefferson Avenue in Newport News, VA. Under Sam's leadership, Brake King quickly grew from 10 to 18 service bays, becoming the largest automotive repair facility in Hampton Roads. Following Sam's passing in 1977, his son Randy took over the business that he had been working in for most of his life. Even though by this time Brake King had become a staple in the Newport News community, Randy set out to mold it into something larger. He added yet 2 more service bays to the already impressive facility and set out on a mission to offer the quickest possible service for the absolute lowest prices. With this business plan in place, over the next 2 decades Brake King became an institution in Southeast Virginia. It is not only known for its quick service and low prices, but for its knowledgeable and friendly technicians who assist the customer throughout the entire repair process. It's this close relationship between the customer and the person that is actually working on their vehicle that truly sets Brake King apart. All of this, along with Brake King's 3 key principles of honesty, integrity, and over the top customer service has allowed Brake King to become the preeminent family owned automotive repair facility in the state of Virginia. Since 1966, Brake King has serviced over 500,000 vehicles from its one location and now currently has 30,000 customers in its growing database. Brake King customers travel from as far south as North Carolina and as far north as Washington DC to experience the difference.