Dr. Vinyl vs American Engine Installations Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Dr. Vinyl Franchise
American Engine Installations Franchise
Investment $41,320 - $71,500$40,000 - $100,000
Franchise Fee $24,500$15,000 - $37,500
Royalty Fee 7%-
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 1972-
Year Franchised 1981-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Dr. Vinyl Franchise
American Engine Installations Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Dr. Vinyl Franchise
    American Engine Installations 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
    American Engine Installations Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives-
    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
    American Engine Installations Franchise
    US Expansion --
    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 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.