Entrepreneur: Start & Grow Your Business

Matco Tools

Distributor of professional hand tools and equipment

Year began: 1979 Franchising since: 1993
Since 1979, Matco Tools, a subsidiary of Danaher Corp., has been manufacturing and distributing mechanics’ tools and service equipment, including everything from hand tools and toolboxes to shop equipment.

With more than 1,200 distributors across the United States and Puerto Rico, Matco and its franchisees service more than 825,000 automotive technicians and mechanics worldwide.

4403 Allen Rd.
Stow, OH 44224

Phone: (800)368-6651
Fax: (330)926-5325

Franchisor is a publicly-held company with 150 employee(s); 7 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchisee Association
Matco Dealer Advisory Council
Contact: Any Matco Dealer

Franchise Growth

Year

2008
2007
2006
2005
2004

U.S. Franchises

1,482
1,457
1,421
1,377
1,368

Canadian Franchises

27
24
11
0
0

Foreign Franchises

0
0
0
0
0

Company
Owned

0
0
0
4
4

Where Seeking Franchisees

Nationwide

Outside the U.S.:

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: 325 mon. pre-identified customers

Costs & Fees

Total investment: $79K-182K
Franchise fee: $0
Ongoing royalty fee: 0
Term of agreement: 10 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available
	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	No
Startup Costs	Yes	Yes
Equipment	Yes	Yes
Inventory	Yes	Yes
Accounts Receivable	Yes	Yes
Payroll	No	No

Third-party financing source(s): SBA member banks

Qualifications

Net worth requirement: $60K
Cash liquidity requirement: $25K
Business Experience:

Industry experience
General business experience
Marketing skills

Operations

Franchise can be run from home
1% of all franchisees own more than one unit
Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training & Support

TRAINING

Available at headquarters: 2 weeks
At franchisee's location: 3 weeks
District meetings: Every 5 weeks

ONGOING SUPPORT

Newsletter
Meetings
Toll-free phone line
Grand opening
Internet
Field operations/evaluations

MARKETING SUPPORT

National media
Regional advertising
Other marketing support: Direct-sales meetings, online support

Rankings in Entrepreneur magazine 2004-2008

Franchise 500® rank:
#30 (2008); #24 (2007); #47 (2006); #35 (2005); #32 (2004);

Ranked #1 in category in:
2008; 2007;

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#86 (2008); #76 (2007);

Top home based franchises:
#6 (2008); #3 (2007); #10 (2006); #9 (2005); #7 (2004);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#51 (2008); #29 (2007); #44 (2006);

Last Updated: 5/7/2008 12:00:00 AM