Your Key to Success: A Meineke Car Center Franchise of your Own!
Meineke Car Care Centers has successfully adapted its automotive business franchise system to the one-stop model that today's consumers are looking for.
Together, both franchisor and franchisees share the advantages of a nationally recognized name with:
- A strong new image;
- A broad range of services;
- Hands-on training, and
- A Meineke system that's geared to business success.
With 901 units starting in 1972 up to Today, Meineke has had an extremely successful and vibrant history in the automotive service business.
Today, Meineke’s franchise owners still manage the business day to day. We are still passionate about the automotive business and franchising, and our business philosophy is still based on Sam Meineke’s ideals.
This mixing of our traditions with new strategies has made Meineke one of the most recognized and trusted automotive franchise brands in North America and the world.
Why Choose Meineke?
One of the Most Favorably-Rated Franchise Agreements
It's stable and still growing! If you are looking for a market with lots of potential, consider the opportunities in the automotive service market. Annual sales in the US automotive aftermarket repair and service business is approaching $200 billion.
The number of cars and light trucks is up 23% in the last 10 years. People are keeping their cars longer; the average age of vehicles has increased 11% since 1993 to 9.2 years. More people want someone to fix their car for them. As a result the Automotive repair and service market is growing at approximately 5% per year
All of these facts combined create a tremendous opportunity in the growing automotive aftermarket repair and service business.
American Association of Franchisees and Dealers
AAFD member and Fair Franchising Seal Recipient with 92% of our franchisees recommending Meineke for the award.
Franchise Times Magazine (2007)
Ranked # 71 domestically; Ranked # 77 globally.
Entrepreneur Magazine (2008)
Top 500 US Franchises; Ranked # 80 overall; Ranked # 2 in Category Miscellaneous Repair & Maintenance services.
Hispanic Enterprise Magazine (2007)
Selected as one of the Top 25 Franchise Opportunities for Hispanics.
National Minority Franchising Initiative (2007)
Selected as One of the Top 50 franchises for Minorities .
Black Enterprise Magazine (2006)
Listed in 30 Hottest Franchises.
Meineke Advantage
One of the provisions in Meineke's Franchise and Trademark Agreement guarantees that no other shop will be placed within 2 miles of your shops location. In addition you will have the 1st right to purchase the license for any location within 3 miles of your shop.
To add a further layer of protection, Meineke has developed (with input from its franchisees) an "encroachment policy" that requires we compensate you for any material impact that a new shop might have that we have allowed to open within 6 miles of your shop.
Co-Branding Opportunity
In August of 2006, Meineke, through its parent company Driven Brands, Inc. acquired Econo Lube N' Tune, Inc.- a chain of nearly 200 quick lube and general repair service centers located throughout the southwest portion of the United States.
The Meineke Car Care and Econo Lube Co-Brand opportunity provides the ultimate business system in today's automotive aftermarket. With the ability to provide a fast and convenient quick lube service and complete car care, our co-brand centers are able to meet and exceed the expectation of today's customers.
Enjoy the rewards of owning your own business and being your own boss while benefiting from being part of 2 successful automotive franchise systems.
Meineke Products and Services
Meineke is continually researching automotive services and products to help our franchisees maximize their earnings potential.
The current automotive products and services offered include:
- Exhaust Systems,
- Brake Systems,
- Steering & Suspension Systems,
- Wheel Alignment,
- Front End Parts,
- Wheel Balancing,
- Tire Rotation,
- Shocks & Struts,
- Strut Mounts,
- Coil & Leaf Springs,
- Steering Stabilizers,
- Rack & Pinion,
- Motor Cushions,
- CV Shafts (including joints & boots),
- Oil & Filter Change,
- Air Filters,
- Universal Joints,
- Lift Supports (Hood & Trunk),
- Motor & Transmission Mounts Trailer Hitches,
- Wiper Blades,
- Batteries,
- Belts,
- Serpentine,
- V-belts,
- Cooling System Service,
- Hoses (Radiator & Heater),
- Thermostats,
- Radiator Caps,
- Transmission Flush,
- Air Conditioning Systems,
- State Inspections,
- Tires,
- Tune-Up,
- Fuel Injection,
- Maintenance Packages,
- Radiators,
- Water Pumps.
Training and Support
Meineke has in-house and field based operational and training employees and vendor resources at its disposal. These resources are used to provide regular visits and communications to ensure that you are adequately prepared to achieve success.
In addition, Meineke continues to invest in technology to provide Business Tools online.
Dealer Access
Meineke has an extensive "Dealer Access" web-site that provides operations manuals, on-line training modules, an interactive forum for franchisees to discuss common issues and publications designed to keep you up to date.
Online Business Planning Tool
Meineke has recently added an online Business Planning tool that will help you to understand any weaknesses in your financial or operational performance (through benchmarking) and will provide specific action plans to remedy those weaknesses.
Marketing and Advertising
Unlike most automotive franchise systems, Meineke offers a complete advertising service.
We arrange for all national and local TV placement, your yellow page listings and local print.
In addition, Meineke is able to provide direct mailings to your customers on a monthly basis.
This is all provided with the contribution to the Meineke Advertising Fund (MAF). We do recommend that you spend some money beyond the contribution to MAF on local community programs. Even in these areas Meineke has full in-house capability to assist with any creative work you need. (see Meineke Advertising page.
Franchise Requirements
You are not required to have any automotive or mechanical background. It would be typical, however, for lenders to require that you have 2-3 years of "management" experience and we prefer to see some experience in dealing with members of the public in some capacity (although this is not required).
Financial Requirements
Initial Investment
A typical project (excluding Real Estate) will average around $220k-$240k including the license fee, equipment, signage and working capital.
You will be required to come up with 25% of the cash (typically $55k-$75k). This 25% can come from cash, stocks & bonds, home equity or your 401 k pension funds (which can be accessed without penalty).
Financing
Assuming that you have a reasonable credit profile (FICO credit score over 650), Meineke has preferred lender programs with a number of financing sources including Seigel Capital, Wachovia and Business Loan Express who can lend the balance necessary to get you in business.
Typically, these same lenders will lend up to 85% of the cost of land & buildings should you choose to own the property.