Avis Rent a Car Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Avis Rent a Car is a global car rental franchise providing a range of rental vehicles and services, known for its quality, convenience, and customer satisfaction.

Founded in 1946 by Warren Avis, Avis Rent A Car System, LLC has become a global leader in the car rental sector, known for its forward-thinking approach and strong customer loyalty.

As the first rental provider to establish operations at airport terminals, Avis set a new standard in convenience that transformed the travel experience for millions. Today, Avis maintains a worldwide presence with roughly 5,500 rental outlets spread across more than 165 countries.

Its vehicle lineup is designed to serve a wide range of customer preferences, from compact cars to premium options. The company saw accelerated growth in the 1950s, combining franchised and corporate-owned locations to enhance reach and accessibility.

Avis continues to stand out through its dedication to customer satisfaction, a philosophy best represented by the iconic “We try harder®” motto launched in 1963. It also led the way in tech innovation with the introduction of the Wizard system in 1973—a pioneering booking platform that simplified the reservation process for customers worldwide.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial License Purchase Fee $30,000
Construction, remodeling, decorating, and leasehold improvements $15,000–$50,000
Furniture, fixtures, other fixed assets, and equipment $15,000–$28,000
Signage $10,000–$25,000
3 months’ rent and security deposits $9,000–$18,000
Vehicle Insurance Premiums $15,000–$37,500
Grand opening advertising and promotional costs $2,000–$5,000
Office supplies $500–$2,000
Miscellaneous opening costs $1,000–$3,000
Automobiles $450,000–$1,290,000 plus interest
Travel and living expenses during training $3,000–$7,500
Additional funds—three months $55,000–$72,400
Total Estimated Initial Investment $605,500–$1,568,400
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial License Purchase Fee $30,000
Construction, remodeling, decorating, and leasehold improvements $15,000–$50,000
Furniture, fixtures, other fixed assets, and equipment $15,000–$28,000
Signage $10,000–$25,000
3 months’ rent and security deposits $9,000–$18,000
Vehicle Insurance Premiums $15,000–$37,500
Grand opening advertising and promotional costs $2,000–$5,000
Office supplies $500–$2,000
Miscellaneous opening costs $1,000–$3,000
Automobiles $450,000–$1,290,000 plus interest
Travel and living expenses during training $3,000–$7,500
Additional funds—three months $55,000–$72,400
Total Estimated Initial Investment $605,500–$1,568,400

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Avis Rent a Car provides a structured training system for its franchisees and their teams to ensure consistent operational standards across locations. The training covers initial onboarding, ongoing updates, and specialized system instruction.

  1. Initial Training Program: Franchisees, General Managers, and approved employees must complete a comprehensive training program at least 30 days before opening. This includes web-based instruction via Workday Learning, which covers key systems like Wizard and point-of-sale operations.
  2. Ongoing and Refresher Training: Avis may require participation in new and refresher web-based training programs and seminars throughout the license term. These sessions are announced via system bulletins and are mandatory for key personnel.
  3. Conventions and Seminars: Franchisees and their General Managers must also attend periodic seminars and conventions organized by Avis. These events support professional development and are intended to align franchisees with updated operational standards.
  4. On-the-Job and Location-Based Instruction: Additional training may be delivered through field visits, on-the-job coaching, or at designated training locations. These sessions are facilitated by experienced trainers with at least one year in the car rental industry.

Territory Protection

Avis Rent a Car grants franchisees a licensed territory in which they are authorized to operate their business, subject to Avis' approval of the business location. Within this territory, Avis agrees not to license another party to operate a competing Avis franchise.

However, this grant is not considered exclusive, and Avis does not guarantee that other Avis franchisees or company-owned outlets will not serve customers within the same area.

The franchisor and its affiliates may still operate or license businesses offering similar or overlapping services under different trademarks, or even under the Avis name, for activities that include renting trucks or offering mobile or online services.

Competitors

Below are some of

Avis Rent a Car

key competitors in the

Other Automotive

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

186

New
+
11%
11%

$45,000

$626,000

$1,588,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Velofix

Velofix is a mobile bicycle repair and service franchise offering on-site maintenance, parts and rental fleets, serving cyclists and active customers, and known for low overhead, mobile flexibility and a franchise-ready support system.

Franchisees

?

34
+
-33%
-33%
Investment

?

$203,000 - $252,000

Thrifty Car Rental

Thrifty Car Rental is a vehicle-rental franchise offering airport and local car hire services, serving business and leisure travellers, and known for recognizable brand strength, broad global presence and scalable fleet-management business model.

Franchisees

?

73
+
9%
9%
Investment

?

$879,000 - $15,874,000

RimTyme

RimTyme Custom Wheels & Tires is an automotive retail franchise offering custom wheels, tires, and rent-to-own payment plans, serving vehicle enthusiasts seeking upgrades, and known for same-day installations, flexible financing and a targeted niche market.

Franchisees

?

29
+
-22%
-22%
Investment

?

$473,000 - $802,000

SailTime

SailTime is a boating-lifestyle franchise offering fractional ownership, boat club memberships and watercraft access services, serving recreational boaters and lifestyle-seeking customers, and known for turnkey business operations, proprietary software and proven network support.

Franchisees

?

21
+
-13%
-13%
Investment

?

$75,000 - $152,000

Dollar Rent A Car

Dollar Rent A Car is a car rental franchise offering affordable vehicle rental services to both leisure and business travelers. Franchisees benefit from a recognized brand and a business model designed for operational efficiency.

Franchisees

?

68
+
10%
10%
Investment

?

$879,000 - $15,874,000

Budget Rent A Car

Budget Rent A Car offers affordable car rental services, providing a wide selection of vehicles and convenient rental options for travelers and locals alike.

Franchisees

?

174
+
-8%
-8%
Investment

?

$626,000 - $1,588,000