Start a Tuffy Tire and Auto Service Franchise in 2025

Franchise 500 Rank: N/R Not ranked last year

Initial investment: $224K - $719K

Units as of 2022: 163 4% over 3 years

Tuffy Tire and Auto Service franchise was founded in 1970 as a muffler shop, a niche auto repair service. In 1971, Tuffy Tire saw potential in franchising, as it expanded to cover brakes, shocks, springs, and alignments, among other automotive repair and maintenance services.

In over 50 years of operation, the Tuffy Tire and Auto Services franchise has grown exponentially, opening over 140 units throughout the United States.

For entrepreneurs looking to open franchises in the United States, opportunities are available in Indiana, Michigan, and North Carolina. Ideal candidates for a Tuffy Tire and Auto Service franchise are those looking to own their businesses. Absentee ownership is another option for franchisees, making Tuffy Tire and Auto Service an attractive option.

Why You May Want to Start a Tuffy Tire and Auto Service Franchise

The automotive repair industry is competitive, but one aspect that separates Tuffy Tire and Auto Services from the rest is its continued commitment to quality and customer service. Tuffy believes that a company’s reputation is its only strength and promises customers a solid job with each service.

Tuffy offers full-service automotive maintenance and repair, guaranteeing customers quality work. Tuffy promises that every service, small or big, should be “Done Right. Period.”

Customers look at the Tuffy brand as a place where they can leave knowing they received dependable service. For franchisees, Tuffy Tire and Auto Services is the place to grow since the capabilities of the company’s operating system are proven and time-tested.

Running a Tuffy Tire and Auto Service franchise can help you serve your community by creating employment and meeting the needs of locals.

What Might Make Tuffy Tire and Auto Service a Good Choice?

If you're interested in opening a Tuffy Tire and Auto Service franchise, you can be part of a family that guarantees support, an excellent reputation, and offers affordable terms. A Tuffy Tire and Auto Services franchise requires an initial investment that will include a franchise fee and other potential startup fees.

You should make sure you're financially ready for the initial investment with enough capital available to cover potential fees. These fees will include royalty percentage and ad fees. Additionally, the company enjoys excellent relationships with third-party financiers. These avenues can help you cover the franchise fee, inventory, payroll, equipment, and startup costs.

How to Open a Tuffy Tire and Auto Service Franchise

To kickstart your Tuffy Tire and Auto Service franchise, start by filling out a secure franchise inquiry. Additional requirements for franchisees can be found in Tuffy’s Franchise Disclosure Document that will be provided with initial interviews.

You'll complete over 75 hours of classroom training in addition to dozens of hours of on-the-job training. Since four employees are required to run a Tuffy Tire unit, training makes the process easier, preparing core team members for daily operations.

The Tuffy Tire and Auto Service franchise offer ongoing and marketing support to cover arising activities that make the Tuffy brand unique. In the competitive automotive market, being part of the Tuffy Tire and Auto Service team could be a good decision for your future.

Company Overview

About Tuffy Tire and Auto Service

Industry	Automotive
Related Categories	Automotive Repair & Maintenance Services
Founded	1970
Parent Company	T.A.C./Gimex
Leadership	Roger Hill, President
Corporate Address	7071 W. Central Ave., #C Toledo, OH 43617
Social	Facebook

Business Overview

Franchising Since	1971 (54 years)
# of employees at HQ	33
Where seeking	This company is offering new franchises in the following US states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia
# of Units	163 (as of 2022)

Information for Franchisees

Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Tuffy Tire and Auto Service 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.	$30,000
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.	$224,000 - $718,500
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.	$500,000
Cash Requirement Definition: The minimum liquid capital you must have available in order to qualify to become a franchisee of this company.	$150,000
Royalty Fee Definition: A ongoing fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis. What you need to know: Most franchisors require franchisees to pay an ongoing royalty fee, which is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD. This fee is typically a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales, but may also be a flat weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	2.5-5%
Ad Royalty Fee Definition: An going fee paid to the franchisor on a regular basis to support advertising or marketing efforts. What you need to know: This may also be called advertising fee, marketing fee, brand fund fee, and more, but the basic purpose is the same-- to support promotion of the brand systemwide. As with the royalty fee, it is detailed in Item 6 of the FDD, and can be a percentage of weekly or monthly gross sales or a weekly, monthly, or annual fee.	5%
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.	15 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	Tuffy Tire and Auto Service has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll

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	40 hours
Classroom Training	104 hours
Ongoing Support	Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings & Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security & Safety Procedures Lease Negotiation Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Support	Co-op Advertising Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social Media SEO Website Development Email Marketing Loyalty Program/App

Operations

Additional details about running this franchise.

Is absentee ownership allowed?	Yes
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.	No
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
# of employees required to run	4-5
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