| ||||
Updated RecentlyTuffy Auto Service Centers vs Auto-Lab Franchise Comparison
Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Tuffy Auto Service Centers vs Auto-Lab including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
Start-Up Costs and Fees |
||
| Investment | $224,000 - $413,500 | $128,750 - $317,500 |
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 | $27,500 |
| Royalty Fee | 2.5%-5% | 6% |
| Advertising Fee | 5% | 3% |
| Year Founded | 1970 | 1985 |
| Year Franchised | 1971 | 2004 |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
| Term Of Agreement | 15 years | - |
| Renewal Fee | - | - |
Business Experience Requirements |
||
| Experience | - | |
Financing Options |
||
| In-House/3rd Party | In-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 |
||
| Training | On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 104 hours Additional Training: At existing store | Continuous technical and management training programs |
| 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 | Auto-Lab, LLC offers support in all areas of business management and operations through our corporate office, located in Farmington Hills, MI, and our strategic vendor partners. Our support includes, but is not limited to, continuous technical and management training programs, group purchasing programs, group marketing and advertising programs, electronic purchasing through vendor partners, a program for HotLine support, instant information network, assistance with business opportunities, etc. |
| 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 |
||
| US Expansion | Yes | Yes |
| Canada Expansion | No | - |
| International Expansion | No | - |
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 Auto-Lab
Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Centers is a full service auto repair and maintenance service franchise that has been operating since early 1989. Auto-Lab currently operates stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Arizona, California, and Florida.
Auto-Lab offers an immense amount of franchise support from our corporate office as well as a highly respected brand image. We require less investment, a small franchise fee and more control of marketing and advertising associated with your target customer base. The Auto-Lab Business Management System is a computer program unique to Auto-Lab that will assist you in all areas of managing a successful
Auto-Lab Complete Car Care Center.
The total investment necessary to begin operation of a single unit
Auto-Lab franchise is from $128,750 to $317,500. This includes $13,750
to $27,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. If you
convert an existing auto care facility to an Auto-Lab single unit
franchise, the total investment necessary is from $29,500 to $279,500,
which includes $19,500 that must be paid to the franchisor or its
affiliates.