Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers vs Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers vs Tuffy Auto Service Centers including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers Franchise
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
Investment $114,000 - $130,000$224,000 - $413,500
Franchise Fee $20,000$30,000
Royalty Fee to 7%2.5%-5%
Advertising Fee -5%
Year Founded 19831970
Year Franchised 19891971
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years15 years
Renewal Fee 25% of original fee-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers Franchise
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
Experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers Franchise
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers Franchise
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 104 hours Additional Training: At existing store
    Support Newsletter, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing 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 Ad slicksCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 40% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 5

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers Franchise
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    About Lentz U.S.A. Service Centers

    For over 40 years, Lentz USA has been providing the highest quality automotive service to Michigan residents. Lentz USA can help you with new brakes, oil change, new mufflers, shocks, upgraded struts, and more. Simply, we want to be your complete auto service center! We have earned the trust of hundreds of satisfied customers.

    About Tuffy Auto Service Centers

    Charles Amy founded Tuffy Auto Service Centers when he opened the first Tuffy Muffler shop in 1970. The private company began franchising one year later and now has shops in several states. It is based in Toledo.

    If you purchase an area development franchise you must pay an additional area development fee that will be negotiated based on the number of franchises to be developed and the development schedule, but you will only pay an initial franchise fee of $5,000 for each franchise developed.

    #222 in Franchise 500 for 2020.