Auto-Lab vs CARSTAR Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
Investment $128,750 - $317,500$298,200 - $804,300
Franchise Fee $27,500$20,000 - $30,000
Royalty Fee 6%1.5%
Advertising Fee 3%1%
Year Founded 19851989
Year Franchised 20041989
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/-
Start-up Costs -/--/-
Equipment -/--/-
Inventory -/--/-
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
Training Continuous technical and management training programs On-The-Job Training: 12 hours Classroom Training: 20 hours Additional Training: Regional training, 1-2 days; Ongoing training at franchisee's location as needed
Support 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.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 National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing
Operations -Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 8 - 9

Expansion Plans
 
Auto-Lab Franchise
CARSTAR Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion -Yes
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

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.

About CARSTAR

CARSTAR is a champion of the independent collision repair operators, consequently, CARSTAR is the largest automotive collision repair franchise in North America. The well publicized industry dynamitics: declining repair opportunities, acceleration in shops being de-selected from Insurance referral programs, excess repair capacity, increased competition from Multi-Shop Operators and Consolidators, and scarcity of skilled labor, has changed how the Independent Collision Repair Operator needs to conduct business. The CARSTAR Franchise program offers many solutions to these and other issues in which you and your business may be facing. We believe we are the champion for quality Independent shops, providing effective training solutions, staying involved in National and Local Industry Associations and developing sale and marketing programs to help our Franchisees compete in this turbulent market.

CARSTAR leverages the purchasing power of Driven Brands to provide tremendous benefits for our CARSTAR store owners. Nearly 50 corporately managed purchasing programs provide our CARSTAR partners on average $25,000 or more in cost savings and rebates. With larger volume stores easily surpassing that amount in rebates. Store owners also benefit from a national fleet program, top vendor partnerships and support from national service providers.

The total investment necessary to begin operation of a conversion CARSTAR franchise is $23,500 to $165,300. This includes $10,000 to $20,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a new (ground-up) CARSTAR franchise is $298,200 to $804,300. This includes $10,000 to $20,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or affiliate.

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#17 in Canada's Top franchises.
#120 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
#164 in Franchise 500 for 2021.