Start a Mac Tools Franchise in 2025

2025 Franchise 500 Rank: #64 Ranked #70 last year

Initial investment: $121K - $344K

Units as of 2024: 1,183 6.8% over 3 years

Mac Tools has produced some of the finest hand tools in the world since it started operations as the Mechanics Tool and Forge Company in 1938. The company expanded steadily and changed its name to Mac Tools in 1961. In 1980, Stanley Works bought Mac Tools. The brand is now part of the Stanley Black & Decker group. Mac Tools began franchising in 2011 and has over 1,000 franchises across the world. Of those 1,000, more than 700 are located in the United States.

The company offers an exclusive product line that may include the right tool for every technician in power tools, tool storage, shop equipment, diagnostics, and more. Mac Tools has over 8,000 different tools in its product line.

Why You May Want to Start a Mac Tools Franchise

A potential Mac Tools franchisee is not afraid of hard work and shows drive and dedication. A franchisee will spend a lot of time with customers, so excellent people skills are essential. However, it is not necessary to have experience in automotive tools to become a Mac Tools franchisee.

Mac Tools believes it has built an enviable reputation for quality and service. It has an extensive network of distributors and franchisees across North America. The name Mac Tools is known and respected by everyone in the automotive industry.

Mac Tools has been ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 multiple times in the past decade. This ranking is based on an evaluation of more than 150 data points in the areas of costs and fees, size and growth, franchisee support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability.

What Might Make a Mac Tools Franchise a Good Choice?

As a franchisee with Mac Tools, you will represent a company that has a reputation to defend. Mac Tools expects that all its franchisees keep this responsibility constantly in mind.

To be part of the Mac Tools team, you should make sure you're financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. In addition, you should prepare yourself for the presence of ongoing fees that will include potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.

How To Open a Mac Tools Franchise

After a potential franchisee applies to Mac Tools, the company may call to discuss your application and set up a meeting with a franchise representative. Mac Tools may then arrange a discovery day that sees you go out with a distributor to see what they do on a typical day. This is an excellent opportunity to ask any questions that you might have.

If you then decide that Mac Tools is for you, a franchise representative will help you complete your business setup and find a suitable truck with which to operate your business. To further your Mac Tools knowledge, you will spend a week with an existing franchisee to learn the business firsthand.

Mac Tools offers constant backup and support. A district manager will spend at least ten days with you on your designated route, offering sales and business training. As a franchisee, you will have access to proprietary software to help manage accounts, inventory, and more. Additionally, customer and technical service teams are always available.

Company Overview

About Mac Tools

Industry	Retail
Related Categories	Tools Distribution, Automotive
Founded	1938
Parent Company	Stanley Black and Decker
Leadership	Phil Cox, President/General Manager
Corporate Address	5195 Blazer Pkwy. Dublin, OH 43017
Social	Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube

Business Overview

Franchising Since	2011 (14 years)
# of employees at HQ	250
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises throughout the US. This company is offering new franchises in the following international regions: Asia, Europe (Western), Canada
# of Units	1,183 (as of 2024)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Mac Tools franchise.

Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees

Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.

Initial Franchise Fee Definition: The initial fee paid to a franchisor to join their system What you need to know: Found in Item 5 of the FDD, this may be a flat fee, or may vary based on territory size, experience, or other factors.The franchise fee is an up-front (one-time) cost that a new franchisee pays to the franchisor. This fee is usually due at the signing of the franchise agreement and covers the right to use the franchisor's trademarks, name, and related business systems.	$8,000
Initial Investment Definition: The total amount necessary to begin operation of the franchise What you need to know: The initial investment includes the franchise fee, along with other startup expenses such as real estate, equipment, supplies, business licenses, and working capital. This is outlined in a chart in Item 7 of the FDD, showing a range of possible costs from low to high.	$121,320 - $344,275
Net Worth Requirement Definition: The minimum net worth you must have in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company What you need to know: Net worth is the value of a person's assets minus liabilities. Assets include cash, stocks, retirement accounts, and real estate. Liabilities include items like mortgages, car payments, and credit card debt.	$40,000
Cash Requirement Definition: The minimum liquid capital you must have available in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company.	$20,000 - $35,000
Veteran Incentives Definition: A discount or other incentive offered to military veterans who buy a franchise with this company.	$25,000 startup credit
Term of Agreement Definition: The length of time your franchise agreement will last. What you need to know: Franchise terms are typically anywhere from 5 to 20 years in length, but are sometimes instead dependent on factors such as the term of your lease. Once your term is up, you may have the option to renew your agreement, typically for a smaller fee than the original franchise fee.	10 years
Is franchise term renewable?	Yes

Financing Options

Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.

Third Party Financing	Mac Tools has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable

Training & Support Offered

Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.

On-The-Job Training	150 hours
Classroom Training	60 hours
Ongoing Support	Newsletter Meetings & Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security & Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support	Ad Templates National Media Social Media SEO Website Development Email Marketing Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit? Definition: The business can be run from your home and/or a vehicle, and it is not necessary to have a retail facility, office space, or warehouse.	Yes
Can this franchise be run part time? Definition: This business can be run by the owner on a part-time basis (less than 40 hours per week) and/or as a side business; it is not necessary for the business to be open/run full-time.	No
Are exclusive territories available? Definition: An exclusive territory is a fixed area in which you are given the right to operate and in which no other units of the same franchise may be opened. What you need to know: Territory size may be based on factors such as radius, population size, zip codes, and more. Details can be found in Item 12 of the FDD.	Yes