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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Dent Doctor vs Miracle Auto Painting including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
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Investment | $62,250 - $163,600 | $216,000 - $273,000 |
Franchise Fee | $13,900 - $23,900 | $35,000 |
Royalty Fee | 6% | 5% |
Advertising Fee | - | - |
Year Founded | 1986 | 1953 |
Year Franchised | 1990 | 1964 |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
Term Of Agreement | 10 years | 10 years |
Renewal Fee | - | $1.5K |
Business Experience Requirements |
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Experience | ||
Financing Options |
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In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
Franchise Fees | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Start-up Costs | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Equipment | No/Yes | No/Yes |
Inventory | No/Yes | Yes/No |
Receivables | No/No | No/No |
Payroll | No/No | No/No |
Training & Support |
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Training | - | - |
Support | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives | Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives |
Marketing | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising | Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising |
Operations |
5% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 3 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
5% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 10 Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators) |
Expansion Plans |
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US Expansion | - | Yes |
Canada Expansion | No | No |
International Expansion | Yes | No |
Thomas Harris founded Dent Doctor in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1986. This mobile and shop-based franchise provides paint-free dent repair to consumers, fleet companies and body shops.
Dent Doctor, which began franchising in 1990, reported repairing over 350,000 vehicles in its first 14 years in business.
Using tools and training exclusive to Dent Doctor, the backside of each dent is accessed and pressure is gently applied, removing the dent without harming the original finish. No dry ice, heat or suction is used. The dent will not "pop" back in later, and is a permanent repair.
The Miracle reputation for Quality at Moderate Cost was firmly established in the San Francisco Bay Area in these early years. In late 1954 about 90% of Miracle's work was retail--a big swing from the early days. Firm believers in keeping the name, moderate prices and the quick turnaround before the public, Miracle stores spent up to 18% of gross sales to enhance the word-of-mouth awareness, the quality work and resonable prices engendered. The San Mateo, California flagship location opened in 1965 and the success of Miracle Auto Painting as a chain was well established. During these years came the standardization of the Operations Manual, accounting and other business management procedures which had proven themselves over the preceeding several years. Longer term advertising and marketing plans were designed and implemented and franchising began.