Tuffy Auto Service Centers vs American Engine Installations Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
American Engine Installations Franchise
Investment $224,000 - $413,500$40,000 - $100,000
Franchise Fee $30,000$15,000 - $37,500
Royalty Fee 2.5%-5%-
Advertising Fee 5%-
Year Founded 1970-
Year Franchised 1971-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Term Of Agreement 15 years-
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
American Engine Installations Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Tuffy Auto Service Centers Franchise
    American Engine Installations 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
    American Engine Installations 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
    American Engine Installations Franchise
    US Expansion 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 American Engine Installations

    AEI Industry Leader: Serving markets throughout the United States, AEI is uniquely poised as the only National Engine Installation Company focusing on automotive engine installations. With our acquisition of Fliteline Engine Supply in 2003, AEI now also offers the option of providing quality factory remanufactured longblock engines directly to Franchisees providing them pricing, warranties, and availability not generally available through other suppliers.