Ice Cold Air vs CARSTAR Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Ice Cold Air Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
Investment $15,000 - $25,000$298,200 - $804,300
Franchise Fee N/A$20,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee -1.5%
Advertising Fee -1%
Year Founded 19991989
Year Franchised 19991989
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Ice Cold Air Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Ice Cold Air Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
Ice Cold Air Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
Training - 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 -Purchasing 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 -Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
Operations -Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 8 - 9

Expansion Plans
 
Ice Cold Air Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
US Expansion -Yes
Canada Expansion -Yes
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

About Ice Cold Air

Ice Cold Air Franchises are Full-Service auto repair facilities and are the only auto repair franchises that require little or no investment from the Franchisee at startup.
Ice Cold Air was built on a foundation of a family owned and operated auto repair business and continues with those same values. Our Company History dates back to 1969 when our founder opened a shop in Orlando Florida calibrating speedometers. Quickly the speedometer customers began asking for more services and the business known as Ice Cold Air was born. Specialty auto air conditioning in Florida was a great concept waiting to happen. Over the next 30 years, auto air conditioning came to represent 50% of our total annual service. Operations moved to Clearwater Florida in 1977, and more locations were added to the family. This was a turning point for the company and it was during this time that many of our fun and off-the-wall marketing campaigns were born.





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.