Tuffy Auto Service Centers vs Certigard Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
Certigard Franchise
Investment $224,000 - $413,500$75,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 2.5%-5%5%
Advertising Fee 5%2%
Year Founded 19701987
Year Franchised 1971-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
Certigard Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Certigard Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Certigard 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 -
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app -
    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)

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    Certigard Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    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 Certigard

    Petro-Canada's national car repair franchise, offering terms up to 10 years.
    Opening a Certigard franchise through the Petro-Canada network of automotive repair and maintenance companies is relatively inexpensive compared to other similar franchise opportunities. The total investment required by a new franchisee is $75,000, with $25,000 of that initial investment going toward the franchise fee requirement. Certigard franchisees are also required to pay an ongoing royalty fee of 5% per month based on gross sales, as well as a 2% per gross sales advertising fee that will allow the Petro-Canada firm to advertise both on a national and a international level. The Certigard automotive repair and maintenance franchise company opened in 1975, began franchising in 1987 and has been franchising ever since.
    Proven bay management system, enhanced customer service techniques, local and national advertising programs, national warranty network and ongoing field support. When you become a Petro-Canada retailer, independent owner, or wholesale distributor, you become part of our Canadian team and iconic brand.