Tuffy Associates Corp./Car-X Associates Corp.

Founded: 1970 Franchising since: 1971
Charles Amy founded Tuffy Auto Service Centers when he opened the first Tuffy Muffler shop in 1970. The private company began franchising one year later and now has shops in several states. It is based in Toledo.

7150 Granite Cir. Toledo, Ohio 43617

Phone: (800)228-8339/ (419)865-6900 Franchisee Association Franchise Advisory Council of Tuffy (FACT)

Franchisor is a privately-held company with 39 employee(s); 39 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	369	0	0	43
2008	375	0	0	31
2007	381	0	0	36
2006	392	0	0	34
2005	387	0	0	38

Where Seeking Franchisees
Not available in the U.S.

Exclusive territories available.

Total investment: $244K-434.5K Franchise fee: $25K

Ongoing royalty fee: 2.5-5% Term of agreement: 15 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

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

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $250K
Cash liquidity requirement: $125K
Business Experience:

• General business experience

Operations

• 30% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 4 - 5
• Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

Training

• Available at headquarters: 3 weeks
• At franchisee's location: 2 weeks
• At existing store : 1 week

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
• National media
• Regional advertising

Franchise 500® rank:
#159 (2009); #160 (2008); #126 (2007); #428 (2006); #314 (2005);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#124 (2009);