Tuffy Auto Service Centers vs Creative Colors Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
Creative Colors Franchise
Investment $224,000 - $413,500$179,125 - $266,650
Franchise Fee $30,000$49,500
Royalty Fee 2.5%-5%7.5%
Advertising Fee 5%1%
Year Founded 19701980
Year Franchised 19711991
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years10 years
Renewal Fee -up to 20% of current fee


Business Experience Requirements
 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
Creative Colors Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience

  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Creative Colors 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/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Creative Colors Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 104 hours Additional Training: At existing store Franchisee must participate in an initial training and familiarization course of three weeks duration held in Mokena, IL. You'll learn sales and marketing techniques, financial controls, upholstery coloring, restoration and repair methods, and other administrative and operational aspects of the Creative Colors International business. In addition, a Creative Colors International field representative will spend one week with you in your territory around the time your business commences operations to help you get started. On-The-Job Training: 40+ hours Classroom Training: 120+ hours
    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 As a Creative Colors International franchise owner, you'll receive periodic visits from a trained field representative, who will provide guidance and quality control, and answer any questions you may have. In addition, you will receive a copy of the Creative Colors International Confidential Operations Manual, Training Manual and Employee Manual, which covers the policies and procedures involved in running your business. As the manuals are updated, revisions will be made available to you. And, of course, we'll be only a phone call away for answers to questions that arise during the day-to-day operation of your franchise, as well as having our Intranet available 24/7. Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Regional advertising
    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.

    20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 4

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Creative Colors Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    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 Creative Colors

    In 1980, Jim and JoAnn Foster answered an ad in their local paper that described a new technique for dyeing vinyl and leather. The couple bought the license to use the technique in their area and began J&J's Creative Colors. To strengthen their business, the Fosters began researching, practicing and refining various techniques for repairing vinyl, leather and plastic, incorporating them into their business. J&J's worked with automobile, boat and recreational vehicle dealers, making repairs at the dealers' lots. The company began franchising in 1990 under the name Creative Colors International. Now franchisees across the country use the Fosters' techniques to repair the interiors of various vehicles at dealer lots before they are sold.We have a goal to reach 500 units nationwide in US, adding 100 units over next 4 years

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single Creative Colors International Franchised Business is $95,125 to $122,250. This includes $84,000 that must be paid to the Franchisor.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an Area Development Creative Colors International franchised business is $179,125 to $266,650. This includes $168,000 that must be paid the Franchisor. The fee paid to the Franchisor covers the initial area development fee for 3 Franchised Businesses you will own and operate plus the Start-Up Fee for the 1st Franchised Business you open. For each additional Franchised Business you open, your investment is an additional $44,500 you must pay the franchisor.
    Veteran Incentives  $1,500 off franchise fee

    "Entrepreneur
    #410 in Franchise 500 for 2020.