Creative Colors vs Auto-Lab Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Creative Colors Franchise
Auto-Lab Franchise
Investment $179,125 - $266,650$128,750 - $317,500
Franchise Fee $49,500$27,500
Royalty Fee 7.5%6%
Advertising Fee 1%3%
Year Founded 19801985
Year Franchised 19912004
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Term Of Agreement 10 years-
Renewal Fee up to 20% of current fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Creative Colors Franchise
Auto-Lab Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Creative Colors Franchise
    Auto-Lab Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/Yes-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Creative Colors Franchise
    Auto-Lab Franchise
    Training 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 Continuous technical and management training programs
    Support 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 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 Regional advertising-
    Operations 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
     
    Creative Colors Franchise
    Auto-Lab Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    Company Overviews

    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.

    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.