Dr. Vinyl vs Auto-Lab Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Dr. Vinyl Franchise
Auto-Lab Franchise
Investment $41,320 - $71,500$128,750 - $317,500
Franchise Fee $24,500$27,500
Royalty Fee 7%6%
Advertising Fee -3%
Year Founded 19721985
Year Franchised 19812004
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Dr. Vinyl Franchise
Auto-Lab Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Dr. Vinyl Franchise
    Auto-Lab Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Dr. Vinyl Franchise
    Auto-Lab Franchise
    Training -Continuous technical and management training programs
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesAuto-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.
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media-
    Operations Franchise can be run from home.

    International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 10% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (99% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		-

    Expansion Plans
     
    Dr. Vinyl Franchise
    Auto-Lab Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    About Dr. Vinyl

    Former aerospace employee W. David Isley founded Dr. Vinyl in 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri. He and his wife, Marcia, worked with local restaurants, repairing torn, burnt, chipped and peeling vinyl booths and chairs, but soon discovered there were many similar repairs to be done at car dealerships. The couple did repairs for clients in the Kansas City area until 1981, when they began franchising.

    Dr. Vinyl franchisees offers bumper repair, automotive paint touch-up, paintless dent removal, and vinyl siding repair in addition to the leather and vinyl repairs the Isleys introduced over 40 years ago.

    In January of 2001, Dr. Vinyl was sold to Richard Reinders, formerly the company's European Master Franchisee. It now allows franchisees to purchase shares in the parent company.

    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.