Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine vs Car-X Auto Service Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine vs Car-X Auto Service including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
Car-X Auto Service Franchise
Investment $55,000 - $761,135$214,000 - $326,000
Franchise Fee $35,000$25,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee 0.5%-
Year Founded 19781971
Year Franchised 19791973
Term Of Agreement 15 years15 years
Term Of Agreement 15 years15 years
Renewal Fee $5K-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
Car-X Auto Service Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • General business experience
  • Managerial skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    Car-X Auto Service Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/Yes
    Equipment No/YesNo/Yes
    Inventory No/YesNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    Car-X Auto Service Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 35 hours Additional Training: Annual regional meetings Available at headquarters, Available at franchisee's location
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad slicks, Regional advertising
    Operations 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		 58% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 5

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine Franchise
    Car-X Auto Service Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Grease Monkey and Grease Monkey Shine

    Founded in 1978, Grease Monkey centers provide preventive maintenance that meets manufacturers' recommendations for most makes and models of cars, with no appointment necessary. Grease Monkey International is the nation's largest independent franchisor of automotive oil change centers serving more than 2 million customers each year with 75% of them being return customers. Our "less hassle, more hustle!" customer experience is part of every signature Grease Monkey® service.

    Headquartered in Denver Colorado, the Grease Monkey® brand currently has more than 300 centers operating in the United States, Latin America, and China.
    GMI is not owned by a major oil company. Being independent means GMI's focus remains on helping customers properly maintain their car or truck, instead of selling a particular brand of oil. Since 1998, the company has offered a Monkey Shine program--a car wash adjacent to and in conjunction with the Grease Monkey Center.

    The estimated total investment necessary to begin operation of a Grease Monkey franchise ranges from $156,695 to $347,850, including between $5,000 and $50,000 which must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    If you elect to include a Monkey Shine Facility providing car wash services in conjunction with the Grease Monkey Center, the total investment increases between $151,650 and $761,135 depending on the configuration and size of your Monkey Shine Facility, none of which added costs is paid to the franchisor or its affiliates. Grease Monkey franchisees have the option to choose to operate a Monkey Shine Facility.
    Grease Monkey area developers acquire the right to develop multiple franchises, with a minimum of three Grease Monkey Centers in a designated development area. The total investment necessary to begin operation as an area developer to open three Grease Monkey Centers ranges from $55,000 to $65,000, all of which must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliates.
    Veteran Incentives  $10,000 off franchise fee

    "franchiserankingscom"   "Entrepreneur
    #84 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #161 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #167 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About Car-X Auto Service

    Dedicated to serving you for almost 30 years, Car-X Auto Service is more than just a place that repairs your vehicle. In fact, Car-X prides itself on providing you with a commitment to our Five Star Service. We began franchising in 1973 and have grown to become one of the dominant brands for undercar service in the midwestern U.S. Income opportunities are provided primarily by brakes, exhaust, road handling, steering systems, tune-ups, air conditioning, tires and oil changes for all makes of cars and light trucks.
     

    Car-X franchise owners have the freedom to run their own businesses while sharing the resources of a proven and trusted brand with almost 50 years of experience. Advantages of joining the Car-X Family include (but are not limited to):

    • Brand recognition and outstanding customer retention rates
    • Start-up assistance and continued support
    • Negotiated vendor pricing and buying power
    • Technical onsite and online team training programs
    • Marketing and advertising support
    • Lowest royalty and start-up fees in the industry