How much does it cost to open a automotive franchise?

Across 54 published automotive brands with a reviewed Item 7 total, the median low end of the estimated initial investment is $195,000, and low ends run from $5,950 to $2,315,000 (FDDs from 2025 to 2026). The low end is each franchisor's cheapest disclosed scenario, not a typical cost; the median is a Franopolis calculation.

Which automotive franchises have the lowest disclosed startup cost?

By the low end of the reviewed Item 7 estimate: Winzer ($5,950–$16,153, 2026 FDD); Grease Monkey ($9,577–$1,972,033, 2025 FDD); CARSTAR ($23,500–$804,300, 2025 FDD). This orders disclosed estimates only; it is not a ranking or recommendation.

How many automotive franchisors disclose financial performance (Item 19)?

37 of 55 published automotive brands (67%) have reviewed Item 19 financial performance figures on file. A brand without them on Franopolis may still disclose them in an FDD we have not reviewed.

Which automotive franchises have the most locations?

By total outlets in reviewed Item 20 tables: Grease Monkey (5,462); Valvoline Instant Oil Change (2,039); MEINEKE (716). Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.

Automotive Franchise Opportunities: Costs & FDD Figures

Median uses the low end of each brand's reviewed Item 7 total in its latest FDD — the cheapest disclosed scenario, not a typical cost. Not a ranking or recommendation.

Business models

Item 19 figures only

All brands (55)

Browse Automotive by category

Repair & maintenance franchises 37 Detailing franchises 8 Tires & wheels franchises 5 Car washes franchises 4 Vehicle rental franchises 1

Automotive matchups

Automotive franchise benchmarks

How much does it cost to open a automotive franchise?: Across 54 published automotive brands with a reviewed Item 7 total, the median low end of the estimated initial investment is $195,000, and low ends run from $5,950 to $2,315,000 (FDDs from 2025 to 2026). The low end is each franchisor's cheapest disclosed scenario, not a typical cost; the median is a Franopolis calculation.
Which automotive franchises have the lowest disclosed startup cost?: By the low end of the reviewed Item 7 estimate: Winzer ($5,950–$16,153, 2026 FDD); Grease Monkey ($9,577–$1,972,033, 2025 FDD); CARSTAR ($23,500–$804,300, 2025 FDD). This orders disclosed estimates only; it is not a ranking or recommendation.
How many automotive franchisors disclose financial performance (Item 19)?: 37 of 55 published automotive brands (67%) have reviewed Item 19 financial performance figures on file. A brand without them on Franopolis may still disclose them in an FDD we have not reviewed.
Which automotive franchises have the most locations?: By total outlets in reviewed Item 20 tables: Grease Monkey (5,462); Valvoline Instant Oil Change (2,039); MEINEKE (716). Outlet counts do not indicate territory availability or franchisee results.

Calculated by Franopolis from published brands' reviewed figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.

How Franopolis reviews FDD figures

Questions to research for any automotive franchise

Which Item 7 format matches the business you would actually open, and what does the high end include?
What are the recurring Item 6 charges beyond royalty: brand fund, technology, minimums?
If Item 19 is disclosed, which locations does it cover, and which were excluded?
How many outlets opened, closed or transferred in Item 20, and can you call former owners?

How we read FDDs · Glossary · Under $50k · Under $100k · Under $150k