If you are thinking of opening an auto repair shop, learn how a Christian Brothers franchise compares to franchise opportunities with Moran Family of Brands, so you can make the best investment decision.
High new car prices, rising used car sales, and skyrocketing interest rates are creating a fertile environment for businesses in the aftermarket auto industry, which is expected to reach $464.9 billion in 2026. To cut costs, people are keeping their cars longer, necessitating more repairs and maintenance. Auto repair shops are rising to the challenge of increased demand for their services and staying abreast of new developments in the evolving industry as the number of electric cars increases.
When exploring auto franchise opportunities, both Moran Family of Brands and Christian Brothers Automotive have a long history of serving local communities. Moran is the franchisor of six brands in the aftermarket auto and window tinting industry, including the co-branded Milex Complete Auto Care/Mr. Transmission shops. Meanwhile, Christian Brothers boasts more than 250 locations across the United States.
The two companies have plenty of experience in franchising. Christian Brothers opened up shop in 1982. The faith-based brand offers customers free WiFi, beverages, and shuttle service at their shops, advertising their focus on service. Accordingly, Milex started serving customers 50 years ago, and Mr. Transmission is one of the largest automotive transmission repair franchises in the United States. Milex Complete Auto Care /Mr. Transmission locations pride themselves on customer service, including offering free towing on all major repairs and a free performance check for all customers. Moreover, all of the Moran Family of Brands franchisees commit to charitable work and community outreach both nationally and in local communities. Moran proudly seeks to be a one-stop-shop when it comes to the car care needs of folks in their region.
With so many similarities, it’s difficult to decide which brand is the better investment. Taking a side-by-side look at the startup costs is a good place to start.
Costs & Fees | Milex Complete Auto Care/Mr. Transmission | Christian Brothers Automotive |
Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000-$45,000 | $135,000 |
Initial Investment | $197,457-$296,767 | $520,250-$640,400 |
Net Worth | $250,000-$300,000 | $250,000 |
Cash Requirement | $70,000 | $85,000 |
Ongoing Fees | 7% Royalty Fee
1% Advertising Fee | Royalty fee varies, follows a “split profits” model.
$10K per year ad royalty fee. |
Lease Payment | $0 | $16,000-$25,000 per month |
Why Choose Moran?
With Moran Family of Brands, you’re given the keys to a franchise that offers a wide variety of repair services, parts, and accessories. By joining Moran, you can be part of a support system that not only includes corporate guidance, but also a large family of franchisees.
Financing a new business can be daunting. Moran’s real estate team focuses on franchise conversions, which help lower costs and decrease startup times. The average Milex/Mr. Transmission franchise owner starts serving customers four to six months after signing the franchise deal. “While we have blueprints and site plans, and can assist with a new build-out, our current strategy is going into second-generation sites,” said Ben Reist, the company’s Franchise Development Representative. “We accomplish this by looking for vacant bay space or helping franchisees acquire existing independent shops and converting them to Milex Complete Auto Care/Mr. Transmission.”
Moran’s co-branded locations allow you to own two franchises under one roof, reducing startup costs while still offering a long list of services for customers. The company’s conversion strategy and co-branding help make a Milex/Mr. Transmission location more accessible for entrepreneurs. Moran also partners with Key Commercial Capital to help with financing pre-qualification. Additionally, they provide unparalleled guidance and put more control and freedom in the hands of the franchisees to successfully run their shops.
On the flip side, Christian Brothers sets franchisees’ hours and distributes a yearly salary. As part of their franchise model, the company purchases the real estate and franchisees lease the space. Their franchise owners get access to locations and a unique footprint, but they are unable to build equity by owning real estate. The average time from signing a franchise deal to opening with Christian Brothers is 24 to 30 months. In addition to lease payments, Christian Brothers franchisees split profits with the parent company during the initial franchise term and during all extensions and renewals.
Connect with Moran to Learn More
Our franchising experts can answer your questions and provide you with additional information about our brands. If you are interested in partnering with Moran, request information and schedule a time to talk with one of our franchise business consultants.