Rent-A-Wreck vs Thrifty Car Sales Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Rent-A-Wreck vs Thrifty Car Sales including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Rent-A-Wreck Franchise
Thrifty Car Sales Franchise
Investment $36,600 - $211,000$765,000 - $4,000,000
Franchise Fee $18,000 - $75,000$35,000
Royalty Fee $30/car/mo.$110+/vehicle
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19701998
Year Franchised 19771998
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years5 years
Renewal Fee -$2.5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Rent-A-Wreck Franchise
Thrifty Car Sales Franchise
Experience -Thrifty is looking for energetic individuals who enjoy working within the travel and/or automotive field. Ideal candidates should have an entrepreneurial spirit, solid business and sales skills, and be an active part of the communities in which they live and work. A background in car rental, although a plus, is not a requirement.

Financing Options

 
Rent-A-Wreck Franchise
Thrifty Car Sales Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees Yes/NoNo/No
Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
Equipment No/YesNo/No
Inventory No/YesNo/No
Receivables No/NoNo/No
Payroll No/NoNo/No

Training & Support

 
Rent-A-Wreck Franchise
Thrifty Car Sales Franchise
Training Rent-A-Wreck has a comprehensive five-day initial training seminar that covers all the information you need to open a successful Rent-A-Wreck business. In addition, we also provide opportunities for you to continually expand your knowledge with resources such as our webinars, quarterly newsletters, and regional and national franchisee meetings.Your comprehensive training program includes franchisee onboarding training sessions at Thrifty zone offices, online training, and webinar training. Additionally, you will have access to training and support resources on an ongoing basis.
Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingAd slicks
Operations International franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 2

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

19% of all franchisees own more than one unit

Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 - 14

Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (92% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


Expansion Plans

 
Rent-A-Wreck Franchise
Thrifty Car Sales Franchise
US Expansion --
Canada Expansion NoNo
International Expansion YesNo

Company Overviews

About Rent-A-Wreck

Rent-A-Wreck is the Smart AlternativeTM to all your car rental needs. Founded in 1968 and franchising since 1973, we are one of the best-known neighborhood car rental companies in the U.S. and global market.

'Do you really rent wrecks?'

After being in business for many years with one of the most unique and memorable corporate names, we still get calls from people every day asking this question.

Rest assured, our vehicles are more like the cars you drive everyday. We keep our fleet of cars, trucks, and vans clean and well maintained; they are far from wrecks! We hope that our funny name helps you to remember us, and our low cost rentals and high quality customer service will earn and keep your business.

Whether you need a rental vehicle for business, pleasure or something in between, Rent-a-Wreck is here for all your driving needs. Many of our locations stock economy cars and full size luxury sedans; and they also offer pickup trucks, box trucks, min-vans, cargo vans, 15-passenger vans, SUVs, and station wagons for rent as well!

Try any of our locations across the United States and internationally in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

  • Rent-A-Wreck has franchise opportunities available in the United States and internationally.

  • About Thrifty Car Sales

    Thrifty Car Sales is a subsidiary of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, Inc. (NYSE:DTG), a Fortune 1000 Company headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
    Dealerships offer late model, low mileage vehicles. Thrifty Certified vehicles pass extensive inspection and are backed by a limited warranty.
    Their experienced staff provides an extensive array of support services to their dealers including operational support, training, marketing and advertising.

    Thrifty Car Sales franchisees also benefit from a full-service Business Development Center and a top notch website solution to drive traffic to our dealerships.

    Our experienced staff provides an extensive array of support services to our dealers including operational support, training, marketing and advertising. Our Thrifty Car Sales franchisees also benefit from a full-service business development center and a top notch website solution to drive traffic to our dealerships.

    Dealerships offer late model, low mileage vehicles. Thrifty Certified® vehicles pass extensive inspection and are backed by a limited warranty.