Rank no. 216 – Christian Brothers Automotive Corp. – US

Products & Services: Auto repair

Number of Locations: 112

Total Investment: $369.2K – 434.2K

Founded: 1982

Began Franchising: 1996

About Christian Brothers Automotive Corp.
Mark Carr opened the first Christian Brothers Automotive shop in Houston, Texas, in 1982, and continues to oversee that original location. The company began franchising in 1996. Christian Brothers Automotive locations offer automotive maintenance and repair services.

Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units throughout the U.S.
Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing
Total Investment: $369,200 – $434,200
Franchise Fee: $125,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: Varies
Term of Franchise Agreement: 16 years, renewable
Financial Requirements
Net Worth: $250,000
Liquid Cash Available: $75,000

Operations
10% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 8. Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators).

How This Franchise Supports Franchisees
Training: Available at headquarters: 3 weeks. At franchisee’s location: 2 weeks.
Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Lease Negotiation
Marketing Support: Regional advertising,

Franchise Ranking History
Franchise 500®: #226 (2013), #244 (2012), #254 (2011),
History
In 1981, Mark Carr was working as a graphic arts salesman for a photographic mural company. He had recently moved to Houston from upstate New York and was experiencing some success in his role. Despite his success in the graphic arts industry, Mark still felt discontent. He felt like he was built to be doing something different.

One night, while Mark was feeling particularly discontent, he prayed and asked God to provide him a business. The very next day, while Mark was attending a Sunday school function through Spring Branch Bible Church, a gentleman from his class walked up to Mark and mentioned that he was an automotive technician and asked Mark if he would help him start an automotive repair shop.

The two men did not know what to call this new venture, but were encouraged by their Sunday school class to call it Christian Brothers Automotive as they were two brothers in Christ. In August 1982, Mark Carr and his partner opened a complete automotive repair facility in Mission Bend, Texas (a suburb of Houston), founding Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation (CBAC).

The business excelled under Mark’s leadership as his customers appreciated the fact that Mark did not have typical industry experience. He was able to more closely relate to being a customer and they appreciated that.

This was the beginning of two of Christian Brothers Automotive’s clear value propositions to the customer:

Having the owner of the business onsite building relationships, and
Ensuring that the owner is able to relate to the customers and serve them the way the owner would want to be served.
Christian Brothers Automotive thrived and in 1996, a friend, who saw the success Mark was having, approached Mark to help him open an automotive repair facility. Mark helped him locate and buy the property, hire the technicians and service manager, establish the vendor contacts, set up the parts department, select the equipment and inventory and guide him in the creation of accrual accounts for yearly expenses. When the new business was a year old it had already surpassed Mark’s twelve year old location in annual gross revenue. Mark observed the friend’s business was out performing his because of the fast track training, robust systems and procedures and the location was demographically superior.

It was in this year, 1996, that Christian Brothers Automotive became a registered franchisor and began offering its franchise to interested people throughout Texas. Many of Christian Brothers’ first franchisees orginated through Mark’s Sunday school class at Spring Branch Bible Church. These families or relatives of these families franchised the original 7 Christian Brothers locations in Houston, Austin and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

The popularity continued to grow and Mark began adding more people to the Christian Brothers team and people to the franchise family. Christian Brothers then grew into Tennessee, Georgia, Oklahoma and by the end of 2001 had 17 locations. More friends, relatives and now customers were learning about the Christian Brothers brand and wanting to be a part of the franchise movement and in the next 6 years the brand grew into the new states of Alabama, Kansas, Mississippi and Missouri and had a total of 50 locations. The home office of Christian Brothers had built up a significant professional team of 18 people to serve, support and lead the franchise family.

In 2008, Christian Brothers announced a growth initiative that would take our brand to approximately 200 stores throughout the southeast, lower midwest and southwest United States by 2017.

Christian Brothers Automotive celebrated 30 years in business in 2012 and opened up store number 100 (New Braunfels, TX); two very significant milestones in the company’s history. At the end of 2012, the brand has grown to more than 110 store locations in 13 states with more than 30 stores in development in 6 new states. The home office team grew to almost 50 superbly qualified team members that care for and support our franchise family.

Welcome to a franchise opportunity unlike any other. Welcome to a partnership. Christian business ownership respects your faith, supports your family, and partners with you to grow a prosperous future.

We offer you a partnership in a Christian-based business, so you are not alone. In the 30 years of experience building automotive franchises, we have stood the test of time and promise to be there for you.

There must be a few good reasons we rate among the top American franchises. To start, Christian Brothers Automotive has maintained a 100 percent store success rate through its 30-year history. We claim one of the highest customer satisfaction and loyalty ratings in the industry, and we rank among the best franchises to own. Our franchisee partners rate us in the top 20 in franchisee satisfaction. More than 96 percent of Christian Brothers franchisees say they would gladly partner with us again. This might just be an opportunity worth exploring.

Why a Christian Brothers Auto Repair Franchise?
Looking specifically for an automotive repair franchise? Wanting the thrill of owning your own business. A Christian Brothers franchise offers you a partnership in the ever-growing automotive repair and service industry. It is no secret that people are driving more miles and keeping cars longer.

We provide a critical service to our communities by offering them quality workmanship. Our customers trust us. They enjoy the value and quality service they encounter at their local Christian Brothers automotive franchise – a partnership built on the unique business model explained here.

Unique Business Model
The Auto Repair Industry
Customer and Franchisee Satisfaction
Leadership Team

A nice difference in quality service.
At Christian Brothers Automotive, we offer a complete range of automotive services – from oil changes to engine replacements. We want you to be fully informed about any repair your vehicle needs. That’s why we’ll explain every service to you in detail at our shop, and why we offer this library of car maintenance needs. If you think your car may need one of these services, make an appointment to come see us today.

Source: Christian Brothers Automotive official website