Dent Doctor vs Miracle Auto Painting Franchise Comparison

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

 
Dent Doctor Franchise
Miracle Auto Painting Franchise
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 19861953
Year Franchised 19901964
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 10 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$1.5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Dent Doctor Franchise
Miracle Auto Painting Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • No automotive experience required

  • General business experience
  • Some type of automotive experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Dent Doctor Franchise
    Miracle Auto Painting 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/YesYes/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Dent Doctor Franchise
    Miracle Auto Painting Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-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

     
    Dent Doctor Franchise
    Miracle Auto Painting Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Dent Doctor

    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.

    About Miracle Auto Painting

    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.