Car-X Auto Service vs Brake King Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Car-X Auto Service Franchise
Brake King Franchise
Investment $214,000 - $326,000$121,750 - $277,533
Franchise Fee $25,000$50,000
Royalty Fee 5%5%
Advertising Fee -5% Local 2% Nat'l
Year Founded 19711966
Year Franchised 19730
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 Years +5+5+5
Term Of Agreement 15 years5 Years +5+5+5
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Car-X Auto Service Franchise
Brake King Franchise
Experience
  • General business experience
  • Managerial skills
  • -

    Financing Options

     
    Car-X Auto Service Franchise
    Brake King Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/Yes-/-
    Equipment No/Yes-/-
    Inventory No/Yes-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Car-X Auto Service Franchise
    Brake King Franchise
    Training Available at headquarters, Available at franchisee's locationYou will spend 4 weeks worth of training at one of our selected classroom locations. We will introduce you to the history of the company, conduct training on our way of doing business, hold lectures from industry professionals and introduce you to our professional team of vendors who are there to supply you with the best supplies in the automotive business. The Brake King Team will then culminate the training with on-the-job experience at our corporate store.
    Support Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives*Pre-opening training support *Grand Opening Support *Operational support *Marketing Support
    Marketing Ad slicks, Regional advertisingA huge part of the Brake King brand is the innovative and aggressive way that we market ourselves. Through television, radio, internet and direct mail, Brake King USA is committed to developing advertising campaigns that are aimed at separating ourselves from the rest of the automotive industry.
    Operations 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

     
    Car-X Auto Service Franchise
    Brake King Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion No-

    Company Overviews

    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

    About Brake King

    Sam Hutchison opened Brake King in 1966 on Jefferson Avenue in Newport News, VA. Under Sam's leadership, Brake King quickly grew from 10 to 18 service bays, becoming the largest automotive repair facility in Hampton Roads. Following Sam's passing in 1977, his son Randy took over the business that he had been working in for most of his life. Even though by this time Brake King had become a staple in the Newport News community, Randy set out to mold it into something larger. He added yet 2 more service bays to the already impressive facility and set out on a mission to offer the quickest possible service for the absolute lowest prices. With this business plan in place, over the next 2 decades Brake King became an institution in Southeast Virginia. It is not only known for its quick service and low prices, but for its knowledgeable and friendly technicians who assist the customer throughout the entire repair process. It's this close relationship between the customer and the person that is actually working on their vehicle that truly sets Brake King apart. All of this, along with Brake King's 3 key principles of honesty, integrity, and over the top customer service has allowed Brake King to become the preeminent family owned automotive repair facility in the state of Virginia. Since 1966, Brake King has serviced over 500,000 vehicles from its one location and now currently has 30,000 customers in its growing database. Brake King customers travel from as far south as North Carolina and as far north as Washington DC to experience the difference.