Meineke franchise
Meineke runs car care centers doing brakes, exhaust, oil changes, tires and general repairs. It is part of Driven Brands, which also owns Maaco and Take 5. At the end of 2024 there were 716 Meineke locations in the US, all franchised.
- Cost to open
- $225K–$1.2M
- Franchise fee
- $45,000
- Royalty
- 3–7%
- Locations, 2024
- 716+10 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchising since
- 1972
- Franchisor based in
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Time to open
- About 12 months on average
- Agreement length
- 15 years
- Financing
- None offered
From Meineke Franchisor SPV LLC’s 2025 filing.
How much a Meineke franchise costs
Opening one Meineke center costs an estimated $224,898 to $1,200,818. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Meineke Franchisor SPV LLC, 2025 filing, page 45
Meineke franchise fee
The franchise fee is $45,000, for a new center ($20,000 to convert an existing shop; less for additional centers). You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Meineke Franchisor SPV LLC, 2025 filing, page 32
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | A royalty set by category (for example 7% of exhaust, 5% of most other work, 3% of tires), with an annual minimum of $20,800, paid weekly. |
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Source: Meineke Franchisor SPV LLC, 2025 filing, page 34
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Meineke publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports fiscal 2024 average and median gross revenues for 549 franchised centers. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Meineke Franchisor SPV LLC, 2025 filing, page 86
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 705 (−1) | 0 | 24 |
| 2023 | 702 (−3) | 0 | 31 |
| 2024 | 716 (+14) | 0 | 22 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Meineke Franchisor SPV LLC, 2025 filing, page 92
How Meineke compares
Of the 10 auto repair franchises on this site, Meineke is the 4th cheapest to open and the 5th largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Meineke | Typical auto repair |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $225K | $318K |
| Closed or left per year | 3.6% | 1.2% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +1.4% | +13.9% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 10 of 10 |
Typical is the median across the 10 brands in auto repair franchises.
Other auto repair franchises
Meineke franchise questions
How long does it take to open a Meineke?
About 12 months on average, according to Meineke's 2025 filing. Finding a site, permits and build-out are what usually stretch it.
Does Meineke help with financing?
No. Meineke does not offer financing or guarantee loans or leases, so buyers arrange their own, usually a bank or SBA loan.
How long is a Meineke franchise agreement?
The initial term is 15 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Meineke growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 87 franchised locations opened and 77 closed or left, a net change of +1.4%. About 3.6% of locations closed or left each year. That is above the 1.2% typical for auto repair franchises.
How does Meineke compare with other auto repair franchises?
Of the 10 auto repair franchises here, Meineke is the 4th cheapest to open (low end $225K against a $318K median) and the 5th largest by number of locations.
Does Meineke say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports fiscal 2024 average and median gross revenues for 549 franchised centers. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Meineke based?
Meineke Franchisor SPV LLC is based in Charlotte, North Carolina and the brand has sold franchises since 1972.