Express Oil Change

#197

At a Glance

Products & Services: Oil changes, brakes, tire services, tune ups

Number of Locations: 200

Total Investment: $1.29M - 1.74M

Founded: 1979

Began Franchising: 1983

About Express Oil Change

Former gas station manager Jim Lunceford founded Express Oil Change in 1979 after hearing about a West Coast business that offered quick oil changes. Lunceford brought the concept to Alabama, opened four centers and began franchising in 1984.

In 1996, franchisees Joe Watson and Ricky Brooks purchased Express Oil Change from Lunceford and began expanding the company into Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia and the Carolinas. Two years later, the company purchased Tune-Up Clinics, a 28-store chain based in Atlanta. Twenty-five Tune-Up Clinic locations became Express Oil Change centers after the purchase.

Franchise Units

Year	U.S.	Canadian	International	Company Owned
2013	112	0	0	88
2012	118	0	0	74
2011	99	0	0	74
2010	100	0	0	74
2009	102	0	0	68

Where Seeking Franchisees: Franchisor is seeking new franchise units in the following states:
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Midwest, North Carolina, Northeast, South, South Carolina, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, Texas.

Startup Costs, Ongoing Fees and Financing

Total Investment: $1,292,000 - $1,735,000
Franchise Fee: $35,000
Ongoing Royalty Fee: 5%
Term of Franchise Agreement: 10 years, renewable

Financial Requirements

Net Worth: $500,000
Liquid Cash Available: $300,000 - $350,000

Operations

85% of all franchisees own more than one unit. Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 6 - 8. Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (92% of current franchisees are owner/operators).

Financing Type	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee
Startup Costs
Equipment
Inventory
Accounts Receivable
Payroll

How This Franchise Supports Franchisees

Training: Available at headquarters: 2 days. At franchisee's location: Varies. At training centers : 4-8 weeks.

Ongoing Support: Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives, Lease Negotiation

Marketing Support: Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, Regional advertising,