Grease Monkey logo

Grease Monkey

Oil changes, preventive maintenance, brakes, light repairs
Investment
$291,320
Initial Franchise Fee
$39,900
Units
449
Growth Rate
-10%

Overview

Industry
Automotive
Founded
1978
Franchising Since
1979
Parent Company
FullSpeed Automotive
Leadership
Ron Stilwell, President
# of Employees at HQ
150

Units and Growth Chart

About Grease Monkey

Grease Monkey has been open for business since 1978 and franchising since 1979. It has more than 350 locations, with more than 225 of those being owned and operated by franchisees. Grease Monkey is committed to helping customers by providing routine maintenance on their cars and making the experience fast, easy, and convenient.

Its talented crews work on everything from air conditioning and air filters to tire rotation and transmissions. Grease Monkey also offers fleet services to help companies maintain the lives of their auto-assets. Its mechanics keep detailed records on the work they do to make sure vehicles are ready for the road, no matter the conditions. 

Why You May Want to Start a Grease Monkey Franchise

There are more cars on the road right now than at any other time in history. The average age of cars on the road is about 12 years. Cars need upkeep, especially as they get older. What does this mean for your shop? The auto industry tends to have a more consistent customer base. As a result, current Grease Monkey franchisees that provide quality service may keep customers coming back.

Unlike other auto chains, Grease Monkey isn't owned by an oil company, so there's a good chance you won't have to buy products dictated by headquarters. Headquarters, which is located in Greenwood Village, Colorado, often makes recommendations on what franchisees should purchase based on what they believe may result in the best conclusion for you. However, they generally have the option to choose whether or not they follow those recommendations.

What Might Make Grease Monkey a Good Choice

Grease Monkey has been ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 many times since its inception. This ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points that consist of areas in costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

When you open a Grease Monkey franchise, you might have the choice of adding a Monkey Shine® Car Wash to your facility. This addition can give you another source of revenue, which is an added benefit. For some customers, having the car wash addition increases the convenience factor and can build customer loyalty.

As a franchisee, you're usually in control of how you market your center to the community. The Grease Monkey marketing team has developed many different strategies; you just have to pick out what you want to implement. The marketing team may also give you advice, helping to make your marketing strategy the most effective.

How to Open a Grease Monkey Franchise

If you want to open a Grease Monkey franchise, you'll need to indicate your net worth and how much liquid capital you have. You should be financially ready to make an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. You should also be prepared for ongoing fees that will consist of advertising fees, royalty fees, and potential renewal fees. If you are an honorably discharged veteran or a first responder, you might be eligible for discounts.

During the process, a representative will typically contact you to discuss the business, your experience, possible locations, and more. The company also expects new franchisees to attend the Join Our Crew event. Once you sign a Franchise Agreement, you should be able to start selecting a site, constructing your facility, and planning your grand opening. Clients just might go bananas for your quality service and skilled Grease Monkey staff.

Investment Details

Initial Franchise Fee
$39,900
Initial Investment
$291,320 - $1,972,033
Net Worth Requirement
$600,000
Cash Requirement
$400,000
Royalty Fee
6%
Ad Royalty Fee
4.5%
Technology Fee
0
Term of Agreement
15 years
Is Franchise Term Renewable?
Yes
Financing
Third Party
Veterans Incentive
$10,000 off franchise fee; 50% rebate on royalty fees for first year; 25% rebate on royalty fees for second year

Available Territories

Franchising opportunities available in the following regions

United States

States

Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Colorado Connecticut District of Columbia Delaware Florida Georgia Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming
International

Continents

Mexico

Training & Support Programs

Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you succeed

Training

On the Job Training
43 hours
Classroom Training
29 hours

Ongoing Support

Purchasing Co-ops
Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Lease Negotiation
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform

Marketing Support

Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App

Operations & Requirements

Key operational details and requirements for running this franchise

Is absentee ownership allowed?
Yes
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
No
Can this franchise be run part time?
No
# of employees required to run
8-10
Are exclusive territories available?
No

Ranking History

Grease Monkey performance in the Franchise rankings over recent years

Additional Rankings

Curious to know where Grease Monkey ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.

Find Your Perfect Franchise Match

See which franchises fit your budget and have open territories near you.

Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.

Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022