Meineke Car Care Centers Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2026)

Automotive service franchise specializing in vehicle maintenance and repair, offering services such as oil changes, brake repairs, and exhaust system inspections.

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

Franchisees

702

-1%

Franchise fee

$45,000

Investment

$227,000 - $581,000

Revenue (AUV)

$915,000

7.2%

Meineke Car Care Centers is a renowned automotive repair franchise that has been providing reliable services since its establishment in 1972 by Sam Meineke in San Antonio, Texas.

Originally focused on offering discount muffler services, the franchise quickly expanded its range of offerings, transforming into a comprehensive car care center by 1999.

Now part of Driven Brands, Inc., a global leader in the automotive aftermarket franchising sector, Meineke has experienced significant growth and widespread success.

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the franchise has become a well-recognized name with more than 800 locations across the United States and internationally.

Meineke has been franchising since its inception, establishing itself as a trailblazer in the automotive service industry.

The franchise provides a wide array of automotive services, such as brake repair, oil changes, exhaust maintenance, and diagnostic solutions, ensuring vehicle owners have access to essential maintenance and care.

Initial investment

The initial investment required for a Meineke Car Care Centers franchise is $227,000 - $581,000. That is the total cost you would need to finance 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	$45,000
Living Expenses During Initial Training	$7,500 - $10,000
Real Estate Rent and Security Deposit	$5,585 - $12,600
Opening Inventory	$10,000 - $15,000
Equipment, Signs, Small Tools, Installation	$35,000 - $175,000
Freight	$3,500 - $7,500
Point of Sale Software and Computer Hardware	$4,871 - $10,000
Center Supplies	$4,318 - $6,318
Insurance	$10,000 - $12,000
Initial Marketing	$20,000
Legal and Accounting Expenses	$1,000 - $12,400
Building Improvements and Building Design	$30,000 - $180,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months	$50,000 - $75,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$226,774 - $580,818

Type of Expenditure	Amount
Initial Franchise Fee	$45,000
Living Expenses During Initial Training	$7,500 - $10,000
Real Estate Rent and Security Deposit	$5,585 - $12,600
Opening Inventory	$10,000 - $15,000
Equipment, Signs, Small Tools, Installation	$35,000 - $175,000
Freight	$3,500 - $7,500
Point of Sale Software and Computer Hardware	$4,871 - $10,000
Center Supplies	$4,318 - $6,318
Insurance	$10,000 - $12,000
Initial Marketing	$20,000
Legal and Accounting Expenses	$1,000 - $12,400
Building Improvements and Building Design	$30,000 - $180,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months	$50,000 - $75,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment	$226,774 - $580,818

Franchise Disclosure Document

Below is Meineke Car Care Centers's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document. Upgrade to Pro or purchase the FDD to view and download the document.

Number of units

Meineke Car Care Centers had 702 total units in 2024, of which 702 were franchised-owned and 0 company-owned.

Frequently Asked Questions

Competitors

Below are some of

Meineke Car Care Centers

key competitors in the

Auto Repair

sector.

Franchise

Upgrade

702

New

-1%

3% - 7%

$227,000

$581,000

$915,000

18.6%

Abra Auto Body & Glass

$200K - $500K

New

5.00%

$264,000

$4,569,000

n.a.

Auto-Lab Complete Car Care

$50K - $100K

New

n.a.

6.00%

$61,000

$527,000

$874,000

n.a.

Michelin Commercial Service Network

$100K - $200K

340

New

n.a.

$189,000

$4,253,000

n.a.

Car-X

$200K - $500K

New

-20%

2.5% to 5%

$315,000

$512,000

$778,000

n.a.

SuperGlass Windshield Repair

$25K - $50K

179

New

-1%

6.00%

$38,000

$113,000

n.a.

Merlin Complete Auto Care

$200K - $500K

New

-14%

6.90%

$265,000

$534,000

$1,150,000

38.6%

Training

Meineke's structured training program is designed to ensure franchisees are well-prepared to operate their centers effectively. The components of the training program include:

Initial Training:
- Conducted at Meineke University in Charlotte, North Carolina, at a designated Meineke Center, and/or virtually.
- Includes classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
- Covers business systems, shop operations, sales skills, financial analysis, marketing, regulatory compliance, and daily operational procedures.
Internet Training:
- Mandatory for managers before the center's opening.
- Focuses on Meineke's systems and operational requirements.
Ongoing Training:
- Retraining opportunities are available for franchisees and their teams throughout the term of the franchise agreement.
- Conducted by Meineke's Franchise Business Consultants and operational staff, both onsite and virtually.
Specialized Training:
- Provided for new or updated products and services added to Meineke's offerings.
- May include certifications such as ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) for specific service areas.

Territory Protection

Meineke provides territorial protection by designating a “Protected Area” of two miles around the approved franchise location, where no other Meineke Center can operate. Additionally, franchisees have the right of first refusal for new centers within a three-mile radius.

Meineke also limits franchise density, ensuring one center per 50,000 registered vehicles in the area. However, the franchisor retains the right to operate under different trademarks or co-branding arrangements outside these protections.