CARSTAR vs American Engine Installations Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
CARSTAR Franchise
American Engine Installations Franchise
Investment $298,200 - $804,300$40,000 - $100,000
Franchise Fee $20,000 - $30,000$15,000 - $37,500
Royalty Fee 1.5%-
Advertising Fee 1%-
Year Founded 1989-
Year Franchised 1989-
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
CARSTAR Franchise
American Engine Installations Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
CARSTAR Franchise
American Engine Installations Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
CARSTAR Franchise
American Engine Installations 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
 
CARSTAR Franchise
American Engine Installations Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion Yes-
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

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.





About American Engine Installations

AEI Industry Leader: Serving markets throughout the United States, AEI is uniquely poised as the only National Engine Installation Company focusing on automotive engine installations. With our acquisition of Fliteline Engine Supply in 2003, AEI now also offers the option of providing quality factory remanufactured longblock engines directly to Franchisees providing them pricing, warranties, and availability not generally available through other suppliers.