Honest1®
What Is Honest1?
Honest1 is a franchise for brick-and-mortar automotive service centers offering retail automotive maintenance and repair services. It operates through branded Honest1 Centers serving the general public (B2C) and provides a core service bundle of engine maintenance, lubrication and oil changes, brake products and services, sale of tires, and other related automotive services.
Honest1 Franchise: Pros and Cons
The franchise delivers best-in-class onboarding and field support with a perfect 100 training-and-support score, but its initial franchise fee is steep at $75,000 (Item 7 fees around $76,000), significantly increasing the upfront cash required before any build-out. The brand also reports zero outlet terminations, non-renewals, franchisee judgments or government penalties, which suggests fewer franchisee-franchisor disputes.
Pros
Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
Honest1 is pursuing enforcement against franchisees for alleged non‑competition and other post‑termination breaches, trade‑secret misappropriation (DTSA/Florida UTSA), fraudulent asset transfers, and tortious interference; a court issued a restraining order later converted to a preliminary injunction. Due diligence: review post‑termination covenants, transfer‑approval procedures, confidentiality/trade‑secret protections, and Item 12 territory safeguards; request prior settlement or injunction details.
Territory Protection
Honest1 grants a protected exclusive territory-typically a three‑mile radius but subject to pre‑disclosed reductions or irregular market areas based on market density-and will not be adjusted later; the franchisor may sell via e‑commerce/alternative channels and develop additional units (including under different trademarks), while the franchisee may relocate to franchisor‑approved sites but has no right of first refusal.
Training & Support
Honest1 provides a Comprehensive 195-hour training curriculum designed to prepare 0 individuals included in the initial franchise fee as a structured program to ready operations for launch. The program includes on-site launch support for operational readiness, with on-site assistance available at additional cost and travel and lodging expenses to be borne by the franchisee.
Franchisee Stability
Honest1 earns a Good Stability Score. Three-year turnover of 2.69% is well below the typical Automotive franchise (around 5%), placing the brand toward the lower end of turnover among its industry peers. Out of 5 total exits across the three reported years, ceased operations dominated with 5, alongside no terminations, no non-renewals, and no franchisor buybacks; this mix occurred across about 61 franchised outlets in the most recent year.
The dominance of ceased operations suggests location-level economics: operators chose to close or locations underperformed, which points to local rent pressures, weak foot traffic, or site-level performance issues rather than franchisor-franchisee friction. Beyond its industry-relative position, a 2.69% three-year turnover rate is genuinely exceptional in absolute terms across all of franchising. For prospective franchisees, examine unit-level economics in the geographies where closures have concentrated.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Honest1 Franchise?
Opening a Honest1 franchise requires a total initial investment of $255,750 to $1,242,250, 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.
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Maximum Investment
Minimum Investment Breakdown
Maximum Investment Breakdown
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.
Honest1 Franchise Earnings: Not Disclosed
Honest1 did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information, which can make it harder for prospective owners to evaluate expected revenue before investing.
This franchise company did not publish these results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Honest1 a good franchise to own?
Whether Honest1 is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2025 FDD: Honest1 operates 62 locations, received a legal risk score of 57/100, a training and support score of 100/100. The franchisor does not disclose financial performance data. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Is a Honest1 franchise worth the investment?
The value of a Honest1 franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $255,750 to $1,242,250. 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 Honest1 franchise?
Break-even timelines for Honest1 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 Honest1 a franchise or a corporate-owned business?
As of the 2025 FDD, Honest1 operates 59 franchised locations and 3 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.
Does Honest1 disclose franchise revenue data?
Honest1 did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2025 FDD. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information.
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