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Dealer Specialties Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Dealer Specialties is an automotive franchise offering vehicle inventory management and marketing solutions for car dealerships, helping improve sales and efficiency.

Dealer Specialties is a vehicle inventory merchandising franchise founded in 1995 in Monroe, Ohio. The company is headquartered at 60 Overbrook Drive, Monroe, OH, and has grown into a leading provider of photo, video, pricing analytics, vehicle condition reports, and marketing services for car dealerships.

The franchise began expanding in 1996, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to deliver Dealer Specialties services under a well-established brand.

Dealer Specialties offers a range of dealership solutions, including professional vehicle photography and video, 360° walkarounds, C.A.R.Score condition reports, window sticker printing, and automated marketing content through tools like StoryBuilder and background removal technology.

What sets Dealer Specialties apart is its integration of merchandising and technology through its proprietary VinMotion platform. This system enables dealerships to manage inventory, create AI-driven content, and distribute listings efficiently—helping them stand out in a competitive automotive market.

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 Franchise Fee $10,000
Travel and Living Expenses While Training $200 to $1,500 per person
Computer, Tablets, Camera, Laser Printer $3,000 to $5,000 per person
Signs $100 to $200
Misc. Opening Costs $1,000 to $20,000
Insurance $1,500 to $3,000
Advertising - 3 months $100 to $200
Additional Funds - 3 months $1,500 to $5,000
Total $17,900 to $44,900
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $10,000
Travel and Living Expenses While Training $200 to $1,500 per person
Computer, Tablets, Camera, Laser Printer $3,000 to $5,000 per person
Signs $100 to $200
Misc. Opening Costs $1,000 to $20,000
Insurance $1,500 to $3,000
Advertising - 3 months $100 to $200
Additional Funds - 3 months $1,500 to $5,000
Total $17,900 to $44,900

Dealer Specialties

2023

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Dealer Specialties provides a structured and required training program for new franchisees to ensure they can successfully operate their business. The program includes multiple elements, with emphasis on operations, software use, and ongoing improvement. Here are the key training components:

  1. Initial Training Program
    Dealer Specialties requires new franchisees and one additional person to complete a four-day training session at the company’s headquarters in Monroe, Ohio. Hotel accommodations are included in the franchise fee, while all other costs such as meals and travel are the responsibility of the franchisee.
  2. Operations and Software Training
    The training covers every aspect of operating a Dealer Specialties franchise, including comprehensive instruction on the proprietary software. Trainees must successfully complete the program to the franchisor's satisfaction before opening the business.
  3. Annual Training Requirements
    Franchisees must attend at least one franchisor-sponsored training session, conference, or event each calendar year. Failure to attend results in financial penalties, beginning with a $1,000 deduction and increasing upon repeated noncompliance.

Territory Protection

Dealer Specialties grants franchisees a non-exclusive, geographically defined territory. This means that while a franchisee is allowed to operate within a designated area, the franchisor may still operate or license others to run similar businesses in the same territory.

Additionally, the franchisor may use other channels like internet sales, telemarketing, or corporate accounts within that same area without compensating the franchisee.

Franchisees are prohibited from marketing or accepting orders outside their assigned territory. If they are not actively servicing their area, Dealer Specialties has the right to reduce the size of the territory.

Competitors

Below are some of

Dealer Specialties

key competitors in the

Other Automotive

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Sign up
Gross Profit
Sign up
EBITDA
Sign up

29

New
+
-38%
-38%

$10,000

$18,000

$45,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Rivali Paint Protection

Rivali Paint Protection is an automotive-appearance franchise offering paint protection film, ceramic coatings, and window tinting, serving car enthusiasts and dealerships, and known for meticulous installations, premium materials, and clean studios that position services as long-term investments in vehicle appearance.

Franchisees

?

1
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$209,000 - $549,000

NextCar

NextCar is a vehicle rental franchise offering neighborhood and airport car rentals, leasing, and related mobility services, serving travelers and corporate accounts, and known for flexible franchise support, robust reservation systems, and affiliation with the NP Franchise Group network.

Franchisees

?

12
+
9%
9%
Investment

?

$315,000 - $1,593,000

Auto Appraisal Network

Auto Appraisal Network is an automotive services franchise offering certified vehicle appraisal reports, serving classic car owners, insurers, lenders, and legal professionals, and known for low-overhead home-based operations, nationwide brand recognition, and expert evaluations across classic, custom, and late-model vehicles.

Franchisees

?

20
+
18%
18%
Investment

?

$17,000 - $44,000

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

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