Tuffy Auto Service Centers vs America's Fleet Service Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
America's Fleet Service Franchise
Investment $224,000 - $413,500$90,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$12,500
Royalty Fee 2.5%-5%8%
Advertising Fee 5%-
Year Founded 19701992
Year Franchised 19712004
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years20 years
Renewal Fee -20% of then-current fee


Business Experience Requirements

 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
America's Fleet Service Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience
  • Mechanical skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    America's Fleet Service Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    America's Fleet Service Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 104 hours Additional Training: At existing store -
    Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Co-op advertising, Ad slicks
    Operations 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)

    Franchise can be run from home.

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1

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


    Expansion Plans

     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    America's Fleet Service Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoNo

    Company Overviews

    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.

    About America's Fleet Service

    We offer comprehensive preventive maintenance (PM) program and minor repairs/corrective maintenance. Our recommended standard preventive maintenance (PM) service has been developed using industry standards, manufacturer specifications and recommendations, and years of experience. This the routine maintenance and inspection program. We can also custom the PM to match your companies requirements or program. In our free consultation we generally discuss PM frequency recommendations based on how you use your fleet and its age and condition, driving patterns, and even environmental conditions. We service light trucks (pickups and vans) through class 8 vehicles including: Tractor and trailers Light, Medium, and Heavy Trucks Refrigeration units Off-road and construction equipment and vehicles Diesel, gas, and propane engines Cranes, lifts, booms, Redi-mix, utility, chippers, pony and auxiliary equipment Light trucks, vans, box trucks, pickups and other vehicles