Savvy entrepreneurs take a leap of faith to reap high rewards when they launch a business. Choosing a franchise opportunity in an evergreen industry can help minimize risk.
A franchise business in the aftermarket automobile industry is an example of a recession-resistant option. This $325 billion industry offers a variety of investment opportunities for franchisees. With the average age of cars on the road rising to 12.1 years, aftermarket services are in high demand. Car aficionados can choose to open a transmission repair shop, car maintenance, and repair location, or a window tinting franchise. With a vast array of franchise options to consider, prospective owners need to conduct due diligence to invest in an auto care franchise that achieves their goals and will provide a legacy for their family.
Learn how a Maaco franchise compares to franchise opportunities with Moran Family of Brands, including its emerging Turbo Tint brand, so you can make the best decision for you.
Maaco Has a High Price Tag
Maaco opened its first location in 1972 and specializes in automotive painting services and collision repair. The company offers three revenue streams, including spot repair, retail paint, and fleet services. Despite a wide menu of services, opening a Maaco franchise has a high price tag. The initial investment for a Maaco franchise cost can be as high as $619,918, which includes a $40,000 franchise fee.
Customers visit paint and auto body repair shops primarily to repair their cars after an accident. Franchise body shop owners are forced to rely heavily on insurance companies for payment, which often results in numerous accounts receivables and deferred payments. Working with automotive paint also requires franchisees to navigate copious amounts of red tape to comply with environmental guidelines.
Maaco is part of Driven Brands, which is also the parent company of Take 5 Oil Change, Meineke Car Care Centers, 1-800-Radiator & A/C, and CARSTAR. There are pros and cons to joining a large company. If you prefer a small company with a stellar reputation that concentrates on forming valuable partnerships with its franchisees, there are alternatives to Maaco.
Turbo Tint on Target
Moran franchise six different brands in the aftermarket automobile and window tinting industry, including Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, and Turbo Tint. One of Moran’s longtime franchisees, Greg Goodman, saw an opportunity in the marketplace for a window tinting business featuring online scheduling and straightforward pricing. With the support and guidance of Moran, Goodman opened the first Turbo Tint location in 2020, amidst the outbreak of the pandemic. Despite the uncertainty in the franchise community during that difficult season, Turbo Tint’s one-hour window tint service and upscale waiting rooms took off in a tight economy. There are currently four Turbo Tint locations, and Moran has franchise agreements in place for 35 additional units.
In addition to automotive window tinting, Turbo Tint locations offer architectural window tinting solutions, ceramic coating, and paint protection services. As part of the brand’s paint protection service, technicians apply a thin film to maintain the condition of a vehicle’s exterior from damage due to scratches, chips, rust, fading, and abrasion from rocks, pebbles, and road debris. “Paint protection film comes with a manufacturer's 12-year warranty. Its self-healing properties allow a vehicle to stay looking good for years, and it will not allow bug guts to stain the painted surface,” Goodman said.
A new Turbo Tint franchisee can expect an initial investment of less than $281,400, which includes startup costs, operating expenses for the first six months of doing business, and a $45,000 franchise fee. Moran partners with Key Commercial Capital, which provides qualified applicants with a variety of business funding options.
Find Out More About Moran
To learn more about operating a recession-resistant franchise in the aftermarket automobile and window tinting industry, click here to request information and connect with one of Moran’s franchise business consultants.