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Christian Brothers Automotive®

Automotive Year: 2025
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What Is Christian Brothers Automotive?

Christian Brothers Automotive is a franchise in the Automotive category that offers automotive repair and maintenance services. It operates from brick-and-mortar repair and service facilities. The primary customers are the general public (B2C), and the core service bundle is automotive repair and maintenance delivered through each franchise service facility.

Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise: Pros and Cons

An unusually strong advantage is the franchisor’s comprehensive operator support - a perfect 100 training-and-support score, 545 initial training hours (top 5%) and a 100 stability score with zero terminations - but the system requires materially higher upfront capital, with a $121,500–$135,000 initial fee and $297,750 Item 7 assets minimum.

Pros

The 100 training-and-support score is well above typical, indicating the franchisor provides exceptional ongoing support systems you can rely on once open.
545 initial training hours is in the top 5% for Automotive, reflecting a heavy investment in operator preparation and thorough onboarding that should reduce execution mistakes early on.
Zero outlet terminations, zero non-renewals, zero reacquisitions and a 100 stability score together point to unusually low franchisee churn and a stable system-making performance and resale outcomes more predictable.

Cons

The initial franchise fee ranges $121,500–$135,000 (top 5% for Automotive) and the Item 7 assets minimum is $297,750, creating a materially higher upfront capital requirement than most peers.
There is 1 franchisor-initiated enforcement action (top quarter), which signals the franchisor actively pursues legal enforcement and suggests potential friction or strict standards enforcement with operators.
The franchisor operates zero company-owned units (bottom 5%), meaning they lack direct, day-to-day operational locations to field-test changes or maintain firsthand operational experience.

Territory Protection

51/100
Good

Christian Brothers Automotive grants an exclusive protected territory (set in Exhibit A, approximating a 3-mile radius) for a single-location franchise; territory rights are contingent on meeting performance quotas, while the franchisor retains the right to sell via alternative distribution channels and to develop additional units nearby.

Training & Support

100
Excellent

The brand provides a comprehensive 545-hour training curriculum designed to prepare 0 designated trainees through classroom instruction, hands-on shop experience, and operational systems training. The program includes on-site launch assistance for operational readiness, provided without an additional on-site-support fee, with travel and lodging expenses the responsibility of the franchisee.

Franchisee Stability

100
Excellent

Christian Brothers Automotive earns an Excellent Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 0.00% is well below the typical franchise (around 6%). Out of 0 total exits, there were no terminations, no non-renewals, no franchisor buybacks, and no ceased operations.

The complete absence of reported exits across the three-year span indicates an unusually steady record for the system, given about 280 franchised outlets in the most recent year. That pattern suggests operators typically stay in place and that neither aggressive enforcement nor widespread location failure has been evident. Compared with the typical franchise, this retention record is notably stronger. For prospective franchisees, this is among the strongest retention profiles in franchising.

Unit Growth Analysis

Unit Growth Chart

This franchise is exhibiting an accelerating growth trend: units rose from 265 (2023) to 280 (2024) - a +15-unit, +5.7% increase - then to 302 (2025) - a +22-unit, +7.9% increase. For investors, the uptick (a ~2.2 percentage-point increase in year-over-year growth from 5.7% to 7.9%, and a net +37 units / ~14.0% cumulative growth over two years) suggests improving franchise health and stronger unit-level demand, though the overall scale remains moderate.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise?

Opening a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise requires a total initial investment of $550,250 to $680,400, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$550,250
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Franchise Fee
Real Estate
Equipment & Assets
Reserves
Training
Other

Maximum Investment

$680,400
Maximum Investment Breakdown

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$121,500
Real Estate$5,000
Equipment & Assets$297,750
Reserves$30,000
Training$0
Other$96,000

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$135,000
Real Estate$5,000
Equipment & Assets$345,400
Reserves$40,000
Training$0
Other$155,000

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise Owners Make?

Average Gross Sales:
N/A
Median Gross Sales:
N/A
Sample Size:
280
Audit Status:
Unaudited
Franchise vs Corporate Performance: All reported financial performance data in this Item 19 relates to franchisee-owned stores; no company-owned outlet performance is provided for comparison, so relative franchisee vs corporate performance cannot be assessed from the disclosure.
Performance Variability Analysis: The filing indicates variability in owner outcomes-three stores had negative NOI in 2024-suggesting meaningful dispersion in profitability among locations even though the full distribution metrics are not provided.
Data Scope and Limitations: The schedules referenced cover 265 and 280 franchisee-owned stores for 2023 and 2024, but the actual numeric tables are missing from the provided text, limiting quantitative analysis and requiring review of the underlying schedules for detailed figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Christian Brothers Automotive a good franchise to own?

Whether Christian Brothers Automotive is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2025 FDD: Christian Brothers Automotive operates 302 locations, received a legal risk score of 79/100, a training and support score of 100/100. Financial performance data is disclosed in Item 19. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.

Is a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise worth the investment?

The value of a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $550,250 to $680,400. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.

How long does it take to break even with a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise?

Break-even timelines for Christian Brothers Automotive franchises are not disclosed in the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.

Is Christian Brothers Automotive a franchise or a corporate-owned business?

As of the 2025 FDD, Christian Brothers Automotive operates 302 franchised locations and 0 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.

Interested in Christian Brothers Automotive?

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