CARSTAR vs Brake King Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
CARSTAR Franchise
Brake King Franchise
Investment $298,200 - $804,300$121,750 - $277,533
Franchise Fee $20,000 - $30,000$50,000
Royalty Fee 1.5%5%
Advertising Fee 1%5% Local 2% Nat'l
Year Founded 19891966
Year Franchised 19890
Term Of Agreement -5 Years +5+5+5
Term Of Agreement -5 Years +5+5+5
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
CARSTAR Franchise
Brake King Franchise
Experience --

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

Training & Support
 
CARSTAR Franchise
Brake King Franchise
Training 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 You 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 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 *Pre-opening training support *Grand Opening Support *Operational support *Marketing Support
Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing A 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 Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 8 - 9

-

Expansion Plans
 
CARSTAR Franchise
Brake King Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion Yes-
International Expansion --

Company Overviews

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.

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





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.