- 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
|
$8,000 |
|---|---|
|
Initial Investment
|
$121,320 - $344,275 |
|
Net Worth Requirement
|
$40,000 |
|
Cash Requirement
|
$20,000 - $35,000 |
|
Veteran Incentives
|
$25,000 startup credit |
|
Term of Agreement
|
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?
|
Yes |
|
Can this franchise be run part time?
|
No |
|
Are exclusive territories available?
|
Yes |
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Mac Tools landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Mac Tools ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to Mac Tools.
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
Thinking About Scaling From a Single Unit to Multi-Unit Ownership? Here's What You Need to Know.
Scaling from a single franchise location to multiple units demands new systems, deeper trust and a shift in how you lead.
After 14 Years as an RN, She Opened the Business She Always Wanted to See — And Reached $1.3 Million
Rachel Wommack knew there had to be a better way to care for seniors, so she launched a business and proved it.
Want to Own a Franchise? This 3-Tier Approach Can Help You Choose Wisely.
Instead of trying to find the magic unicorn franchise to match an individual, flip the script. Check out the 3 tiers that largely determine successful franchise businesses.
This Franchise Gives Veterans a $40,000 Head Start to Build Generational Wealth — No Fee Required
PJ's Coffee launched its Veteran Franchise License Giveaway nearly a decade ago to help military vets transition to civilian life through entrepreneurship.
These Are the Top Cleaning Franchises in 2025 — With Startup Costs As Low As $5,000
These top-ranked cleaning franchises combine steady demand, low startup costs and recurring revenue to offer some of the most accessible business opportunities today.
Here's What the 'One, Big, Beautiful Bill' Means for the Franchise Industry
The legislation includes tax changes that affect more than 800,000 franchise businesses nationwide.