The automotive repair and service market is expected to reach $1,656.21 billion by 2031 so if you want to be a part of this growing industry, it’s time to check the engine lights on the Christian Brothers Automotive franchise.
How much does it cost to open Christian Brothers Automotive? This auto repair opportunity is open for franchising at if you meet the liquid capital requirements of $85,000 and a minimum net worth of $250,000. The total investment for this chain is $510,000 – $641,000 with a franchise fee of $135,000.
Interested in diving deeper into the inner working of Christian Brothers Automotive? Then let’s put your dip stick into the information below to find out more details. You can also complete our 7-minute franchise quiz to be paired with an opportunity.
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Financial Requirements and Fees
These are the financial requirements and fees that Christian Brothers Automotive requires for eligibility:
| Fees / Expenses | Financial Amount |
| Liquid Capital | $85,000 |
| Net Worth | $250,000 |
| Total Investment | $510,000 to $641,000 |
| Franchise Fee | $135,000 |
As for the royalty fees for this automotive franchise, it varies so it’s best to check this with the franchise team. Ad royalty fees on the other hand are $10,000 per year.
Here are more fees to be aware of:
| Expenidtures | Fees | Remarks |
| Equipment, Furniture, and Software Purchases | $255,000 to $280,000 | Purchased through the company |
| Continuing Royalty Fees | 50% of monthly “Split Profits” | During the initial franchise term and during all extensions and renewals; Estimated monthly amount due on the last day of each succeeding month. |
| Additional Training and Support Fees | Disclosed upon signing with them | This fee is uniform for all franchisees. |
| Administrative and Accounting Fees | Disclosed upon signing with them | Monthly service is provided. |
| Operating Systems & Internet Failover | $365 per month and can be subject to change | Due monthly |
| National Marketing Fee | $10,000 to $20,000 | Due last business day of the month |
| Regional Marketing Group | $2,500 to $20,000 | Due last business day of the month |
| Transfer Fees | $30,000 | At the time of application and on approval date |
| Transaction Fees | Greater of 7% of the gross value of the business transaction or $50,000 | Due upon closing of transaction |
| Lease Payments | $16,000 to $25,000 base rent per month plus triple net costs | Due on the 1st day of each month |
| IT Support Fee | $200 per month | Due 1st day of each month |
| Software and Related Annual Maintenance/License Fees | Prices may vary | First quarter of the year |
| Loan Administrative Fee | $2,500 to $4,000 | Due upon demand |
| Liquidated Damages | $135,000 | Due when franchise is terminated |
Veterans would be glad to know that Christian Brothers Automotive provides a veteran incentive of 10% off the total franchise investment.
The length of agreement to operate this automotive franchise is 15 tears and it’s renewable.
Average Sales / Revenue per Year
According to reports, Christian Brothers Automotive’s in 2021 global sales reached $496,991,194 with a sales growth of 33.8% from the previous year. It’s clear that drivers continue to repair services for their cars and trucks.
Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise Facts
| Total Units | 253 |
| Incorporated Name | Christian Brothers Automotive |
| Franchising Since | 1996 |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Subsector | Automotive Repair & Maintenance Services |
Christian Brothers Automotive’s roots can be traced back to 1982 in Mission Bend, Texas when founder Mark Carr and a partner who he met in church decided to start an automotive repair shop. After a few years, Mark Carr bought the business and made it solely his and the company started franchising in 1996 all over Texas.
Services offered by Christian Brothers Automotive include the following:
- AC Services
- Air Filtration
- Alignment
- Auto Repair Estimates
- Batteries
- Brakes
- Check Engine Light
- Computer Diagnostic
- Cooling System
- Courtesy Inspections
- Drivetrain & Suspension
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- Electrical System
- Engine Services
- Exhaust System
- Extended Warranty Service
- Fleet Services
- Fuel System
- Inspection & Emissions
- Oil & Filter Change
- Power Steering
- Pre Purchase Inspections
- Scheduled Maintenance
- Tire Rotation
- Transmission Services
- Tune Ups
To franchise Christian Brothers Automotive, you’ll need to complete the form and submit it here to kick off the application process. Once received, they’ll contact you back to get to know you and see if you’ve got the right stuff to become one of their franchisees. You’ll also be able to go through the Christian Brothers Automotive brand to review their goals and what the business is all about to better understand how they run things.
A Request for Consideration (RFC) will be submitted next in which your background information and financial qualifications will be reviewed. Site selection will also be discussed so both parties are aware of the territory your proposed Christian Brothers Automotive store will be.
The next step is to take a look at their Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Here you’ll find all the necessary fees and requirements for your automotive repair store. You’ll also get to attend a Christian Brothers Automotive Discovery Day, which includes a 2-day visit of their headquarters.
Signing of the franchise agreement acknowledgment and receipt letter makes things final. Initial investment is done and you’ll start the process of identifying and building your own Christian Brothers Automotive location.
The business is available to franchise in most states except for the following areas (although you can still inquire in case something has changed):
- Idaho
- Arizona
- New Mexico
- Colorado
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Georgia
- Michigan
- Alaska
- Hawaii
For site locations, Christian Brothers Automotive is looking for areas that have the following qualifications as stated on their website:
- Have excellent access from the roadway, great visibility, local traffic, and the ideal demographics.
- Are pinpointed using national databases to identify areas that have large clusters of likely guests.
- Are analyzed from the air by way of chartered helicopters.
- Have been road tested by our real estate team in order to understand traffic patterns—whether traffic is mostly local or commuter, and how light signals and medians affect the way guests approach different commercial spaces.
Christian Brothers Automotive is featured in Forbes America’s Best Franchises in 2019 and in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. At present, the Chief Executive Officer and President of Christian Brothers Automotive is Donnie Carr who as the son of founder Mark Carr.
How Much Does Christian Brothers Automotive Make in Profit?
Though there isn’t any specific information on the business’s profit, there are details as to how much a Christian Brothers Automotive owner makes. According to Glassdoor, the franchise owner makes an estimated $148,417 per year. Though this number can vary, the base pay is $60,000 per year. Make sure this average annual compensation is sufficient to cover your lifestyle before moving forward.
Advantages of a Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise
There are a lot of things to look forward to when you franchise a Christian Brothers Automotive. Here are some of them:
Part of the Payroll
One of the things that Christian Brothers Automotive emphasizes when you franchise with them is that owners are part of the payroll. They receive $60,000 per year as salary. So if you stay with the franchise for 15 years, owners will make at least $900,000 during the time period. Of course, if your shop performs well, you could generate an even better income.
Financing
If you need any help with financing your Christian Brothers Automotive, you can through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The business is proud to have a good track record with them so franchisees can loan through the SBA.
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Initial investment can be produced through the following ways:
- Cash
- Retirement Accounts such as a 401K or IRA
- Family or Friend Gift
- Life Insurance Policy
Requirements
If you’re worried whether or not you fit the requirements of Christian Brothers Automotive, the company is actively looking for in their franchise owners. Unlike a lot of other franchise opportunities out there, prospective owners don’t need to have experience in the automotive industry or franchising experience. You could have a different professional experience and you still apply to become a franchise owner with them.
What the business requires is more on team leadership experience and a background in sales. You’ll also receive online training, in-office training, and hands-on training with their Certified Field Trainer.
Recession Resistant Business
Let’s face it. The automobile repair industry is in demand whether it’s a bull or bear market. Consumers need to have a reliable means of transportation to get to work, drive kids to school, or just get from point A to point B. When you’re car isn’t working, you have no choice but to go get it repaired somewhere. Additionally, even though the cost to repair a mechanical issue can quickly reach multiple thousands of dollars it’s still more affordable than the alternative of purchasing a new vehicle. This is one of those businesses that will always be in demand as long as we are commuting as a society.
Challenges of a Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise
Running a business will always have challenges. Here are some of them you can expect and prepare for:
Employee Reviews
The reviews at Indeed show that Christian Brothers Automotive has only 3.4 stars out of 5. The reviews say that though the work environment is positive, the management can be quite poor in handling their staff. One review also states how there isn’t much room for advancement. There also doesn’t seem to be any proper training for staff. If you end up becoming an owner / operator of this concept, keep these employee concerns in mind and try to find a solution.
No Experience
As mentioned above, Christian Brothers Automotive’s requirements for franchise owners aren’t strict. So even if you don’t have any experience, it’s okay with them. But if you take a look at the employee reviews, most of the complaints are with management. So maybe the experience should matter and Christian Brothers Automotive should look into these requirements and be a little stricter with them.
Is the Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise Right For You?
All in all, Christian Brothers Automotive seems like an ideal franchise for those looking into joining the automotive industry. They also offer a fixed salary yearly. However, financial fees can be a little expensive. It’s best to check out their financing options if you do decide to franchise with them.
What is an alternative automotive franchise?
Another automotive franchise you can check out is Midas. They do all sorts or repair and maintenance services. They’ve been around since 1956 and have branches internationally.
To franchise a Midas, expect the investment to be around $199,150 to $739,872 with a franchise fee of $35,000.
Bottom line, the repair shops aren’t going anywhere. So if you think you have the financial requirements and the qualifications, Christian Brothers Automotive can be the franchise you’re looking for. Just make sure to conduct some self reflection to identify if operating a repair shop is something you’d want to do. It’s not for everyone, but can be a fulfilling job for someone who likes to solve mechanical issues and help customers get back on the road.
