America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —
Maaco is one of the oldest names in automotive aftercare, and the model reflects it — high volume, affordable pricing, and a service mix that spans retail paint, collision spot repair, and fleet accounts. Ownership is a management job rather than a technical one; owners hire a general manager and a crew of technicians. Driven Brands sits behind it, which shapes purchasing power and vendor terms more than day-to-day operations. Current growth is focused on multi-unit development.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $420,000 (readily available cash or cash-equivalent assets — not from borrowing, selling a primary residence, or relying on future income)
- Ownership Model: Owner-operator or semi-absentee
- Location Type: Retail-friendly auto body center
- Time Commitment: Full-time
- Experience Required: None; automotive background not needed
About MAACO
Anthony Martino founded Maaco in 1972, opening the first center in Wilmington, Delaware, around a simple idea: affordable auto painting at volume. Five decades later the brand operates 398 locations across the United States and Canada and remains one of the most recognized names in the category.
Centers handle retail paint work, collision and spot repair, and fleet accounts, working with every major insurance carrier and backing repairs with a nationwide warranty. Maaco is part of Driven Brands, the largest automotive services company in North America, alongside Meineke, Take 5, and CARSTAR.
Why Own a Maaco Franchise?
- Three revenue streams — retail paint, collision and spot repair, and fleet services — spread demand across different customer types.
- Average annual gross receipts of $1,615,904 for centers open two years or longer, as disclosed in Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document.
- Fleet relationships with companies including Enterprise, Hertz, and CarMax provide recurring commercial volume.
- Driven Brands purchasing power delivers negotiated pricing on paint, parts, and equipment through national supplier relationships.
- Five decades of brand recognition in a category with no comparable national competitor.
- Conversion of an existing auto body shop is the most common entry path, supported by a data-driven pipeline of candidate locations.
Why This Opportunity, Why Now
ABF Market Analysis —
Automotive aftercare is a $325 billion market, and the demand driver is simple: people are keeping cars longer. Average ownership now runs close to 12.5 years, which means more vehicles on the road that need paint, bodywork, and repair rather than replacement. Collision and cosmetic damage is largely non-deferrable — a drivable car with a damaged panel still gets fixed. Insurance relationships cover every major carrier, and Maaco’s three revenue lines spread that demand across retail customers, insurance work, and fleet contracts.
ABF Timing Insight —
Maaco is currently focused on multi-unit development, with a three-unit minimum commitment for new area development agreements. That shapes who the brand is talking to and where territory remains. Site criteria target areas with roughly 50,000 registered vehicles. Conversion of an existing auto body shop is the most common path in, and Maaco maintains a pipeline of independent shops that fit its criteria. For candidates targeting a specific market, availability is the first thing to establish.
Training & Support
- Three weeks of intensive management training at Maaco headquarters covers the phone track, production flow, the sales process, and the operating standards that run a center day to day.
- Three or more weeks of on-the-job training happen at your own location for you and your employees, including help interviewing and training the initial crew.
- New center development oversight runs six to twelve months after opening, keeping the center aligned with production standards and management benchmarks during the ramp period.
- Real estate and site selection support applies criteria targeting areas of roughly 50,000 registered vehicles with an average footprint near 7,000 square feet.
- Ongoing programs include Maaco University, the Driven Dash marketing portal, an eStore for central purchasing, plus annual fall convention and spring operations meetings.
Franchise Owners That Thrive
- Experienced operators who build and lead strong teams
- Owners comfortable delegating unit-level operations to managers
- Candidates with sales aptitude and financial management skills
- Investors interested in multi-unit development
- Leaders able to devote real time to developing a market
Who Is Not A Good Fit
- Candidates who cannot meet the liquid capital requirement without borrowing
- Anyone looking for a home-based or low-overhead model
- Owners unwilling to manage a crew of technicians
- Candidates who want a single location only
- People uncomfortable with commercial real estate and build-out
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need automotive experience?
A: No. Maaco looks for sales aptitude, financial management, and managerial experience. Owners have come from accounting, engineering, and general management backgrounds, and the technical work is handled by trained technicians.
Q: How many employees does a center need?
A: Owners typically employ a general manager plus eight to twelve technicians, depending on the volume the center handles.
Q: Can I own more than one location?
A: Yes. Current growth focuses on multi-unit development with a three-unit minimum for new area development agreements, and some owners in the system operate more than twenty centers.
Q: Is financing available?
A: Maaco is SBA-approved and maintains relationships with third-party lenders for equipment and working capital. Veterans may qualify for incentives through the Maaco Vets Program.
Q: How important is the leadership team when choosing a franchise?
A: Very important. A proven model matters, but the people leading the brand matter too. During due diligence, spend time with leadership and operations—not just franchise development—and ask how they prioritize franchisee profitability, support, and long-term brand health.
Next Steps
If you are drawn to a nationally recognized automotive brand with three revenue streams, fleet and insurance relationships already in place, a management-level ownership role, and a clear path to multi-unit growth, Maaco is worth a direct conversation. Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Maaco.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Maaco President, Jose R Costa
Maaco Franchise Opportunity
Franchising with MAACO
Since becoming a Maaco franchisee I realized the sky is the limit, you’re in control of your own destiny and what you put in your business is what you get out, and to me that’s invaluable! My lifestyle has improved drastically and the best part is I get to see my family at the end of the day to share it with.