Maaco Franchise

Maaco, a Driven Brands franchise, has been franchising since 1972 , currently with 450 total locations in the automotive sector, headquartered in NC. According to the 2024 FDD, the total initial investment ranges from $344K to $526K - a 53% spread between the low and high end that reflects how site size, market, and buildout scope change the capital requirement. This figure includes the franchise fee of $30K, equipment, leasehold improvements, and initial working capital through the ramp-up period.

Ongoing royalties run 8.0% of gross sales with an additional 4.0% national advertising fund contribution, bringing the combined ongoing cost to 12.0% of every dollar in sales. Critically, Maaco does disclose financial performance data in Item 19, a voluntary disclosure that only about a third of U.S. franchisors make. The reported average gross revenue per location is $1.0M, meaning the typical unit pays roughly $80K per year in royalty alone. Revenue is not profit, actual franchisee take-home depends on rent, labor, cost of goods, and local demand.

Network momentum is currently negative: Maaco contracted by 1.1% year-over-year with 15 closures on the record. Contraction warrants careful investigation, it can reflect market saturation, unit-level unprofitability, franchisee disputes, or a deliberate pruning of underperforming locations. Call Item 20 contacts and ask specifically about closure reasons. Before committing capital, triangulate this summary against the full FDD, a franchise attorney's review, and direct conversations with five or more current and former franchisees from Item 20.