Merlin 200000 Mile Shops vs TechZone Airbag Service Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Merlin 200000 Mile Shops vs TechZone Airbag Service including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Merlin 200000 Mile Shops Franchise
TechZone Airbag Service Franchise
Investment $183,600 - $315,900$51,500 - $110,400
Franchise Fee $26,000 - $30,000$15,000 - $35,000
Royalty Fee 4.9-6.9%8.5%+marketing fee 2%
Advertising Fee --
Year Founded 19751992
Year Franchised 19751994
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee -$5K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Merlin 200000 Mile Shops Franchise
TechZone Airbag Service Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
  • Management experience; customer service

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Financing Options

     
    Merlin 200000 Mile Shops Franchise
    TechZone Airbag Service Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/YesNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Merlin 200000 Mile Shops Franchise
    TechZone Airbag Service Franchise
    Training --
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 8% 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)

    Franchise can be run from home.

    20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Merlin 200000 Mile Shops Franchise
    TechZone Airbag Service Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion NoYes

    Company Overviews

    About Merlin 200000 Mile Shops

    Merlin is an upscale "under the car" service opportunity which specializes in exhaust, brakes, ride control, suspension & steering, and oil/lubrication services. As a full service business format franchise, Merlin's provides a 90% turnkey state-of-the-art facility, comprehensive training, aggressive marketing programs, and ongoing support.

    About TechZone Airbag Service

    In the early '90s, engineer Douglas C. Hansen was working for an aerospace firm developing airbag inflators. He discovered there was a lack of understanding regarding airbag systems'how they worked, how they should be handled and how they should be repaired.

    Propelled by that discovery and recent legislation that required all cars to be equipped with driver and passenger airbags, Hansen and his wife, Victoria, founded Airbag Service. Franchisees work with repair shops and consumers in testing, maintaining and replacing airbags.

    The company has co-branding relationships with Novus and Apple Auto Glass.