CAR-X
Franchise research report · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching CAR-X franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
CAR-X franchise specializes in automotive repair and maintenance services, offering everything from oil changes to brake repairs and tire installation at neighb
Headline figures
Quick facts
- How much does it cost to open a CAR-X franchise?
- The CAR-X Franchise Disclosure Document reports separate estimated initial investments by format: $582,000 for total estimated initial investment — high (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 18); $396,200–$582,000 for total estimated initial investment — low (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 18). These formats are not combined. Each is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What ongoing fees does CAR-X charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is $3 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 15). The brand or advertising fund contribution is $10,000 (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 14). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does CAR-X disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The CAR-X FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 50). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How many CAR-X locations are there?
- The FDD reports 97 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 52). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1The 2026 FDD (Item 7) estimates opening costs separately by format: $582,000 (Total estimated initial investment — high); $396,200 – $582,000 (Total estimated initial investment — low); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 reports adjusted operating results for 46 Franchised locations for sales; company-owned locations for most expense ratios locations.
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Range across 2 single-unit formats
2026 FDD · Item 7
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose.
- lowPDF p. 18$396,200 – $582,000
- highPDF p. 18$582,000
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- Royalty — introductory rate first 180 daysMain ongoing fee
23 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.
Financial Performance — Item 19
What results are disclosed—and for which locations?
One reported population. Revenue is not owner income.
Locations counted: not stated in the reviewed record
Adjusted operating results · 46 locations
Adjusted company-owned results: the franchisor adjusted these centers' expenses to estimate franchisee costs. They are not observed franchisee results or owner take-home income.
- Who is counted
- 46 franchised Car-X Centers that had operated at least two full calendar years as of December 31, 2025; table splits the 46 centers into terciles by average gross sales
- Excluded
- Cost of sales, labor and other expenses are based on company-owned Car-X Center averages; Car-X does not collect franchisees' cost or expense data.
- Method
- Pro forma profit and loss statement using 2025 average gross sales for 46 franchised locations and expense assumptions described in Item 19.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
United States, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of December 31, 2025 of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 52
Net −27 outlets, 2023–2025
Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.
Questions to investigate
Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.
For the franchisor
Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($396,200 – $582,000) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?
For current and former owners
How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?
How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?
For your advisors
Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.
Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.
Sources & vintage history
Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.
Citations (2026 FDD)
- [1]Item 19 — Locations counted not stated in the reviewed record · PDF p. 50; PDF p. 49
- [2]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 52
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
No territory or operating requirements have been reviewed yet.
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Franchisor financial statements
No verified franchisor financial statement figures have been reviewed yet.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
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Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.
Related research
Brands in the same subcategory first, then the wider industry, ordered by shared business format and overlapping investment range. This is not a ranking or recommendation.
Head-to-head comparisons
At a glance
Business history
Not reviewed
Owner participation
Not reviewed
Territory language
Not reviewed
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Not reviewed
Agreement term
Not reviewed
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.