Express Oil Change

Auto repair service center specializing in oil changes
Year began: 1979    Franchising since: 1983
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.

1880 Southpark Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35244

Phone: (205)945-1771
Fax: (205)943-5779

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 30 employee(s); 10 employee(s) in franchise department.


Franchise Growth
Year

2007
2006
2005
2004
U.S. Franchises
106
108
101
114
Canadian Franchises
0
0
0
0

Foreign Franchises
0
0
0
0
Company
Owned
53
50
51
35

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S.

Exclusive territories available.

Special Programs
Express Oil Change reduces its franchisees’ royalty fees based on sales. Top franchisees (Franchise of the Year, Developer of the Year and Rookie of the Year) are recognized at the company’s annual convention.

Costs & Fees
Total investment: $250K-1.5M
Franchise fee: $27.5K
Ongoing royalty fee: 5%
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable
Type of Financing Available
In-HouseThird Party
Franchise FeeNoNo
Startup CostsNoNo
EquipmentNoYes
InventoryNoYes
Accounts ReceivableNoNo
PayrollNoNo
Third-party financing source(s): Citigroup, the SBA, SouthTrust Bank, AmSouth Bank, Compass Bank
Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $500K
Cash liquidity requirement: $250K
Business Experience:
  • General business experience

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)

Training & Support
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

MARKETING SUPPORT
  • Co-op advertising
  • Ad slicks
  • Regional advertising

Rankings in Entrepreneur magazine 2004-2008
Franchise 500® rank:
#346 (2008); #295 (2007); #322 (2006); #287 (2005); #194 (2004);

Last Updated: 8/4/2008 12:00:00 AM



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