America’s Best Franchises (ABF) Brand Insight —
Strickland Brothers competes in a category dominated by big national names, and its edge is the experience rather than the oil. Customers stay in the car, the service runs about ten minutes, and the brand puts heavy weight on hospitality. The system is built on a large company-owned base, which means franchisees buy into a model the company tests on its own stores first. Marketing is managed centrally for every franchise location, which is what makes semi-absentee ownership workable.
At a Glance
- Liquid Capital Required: $250,000 (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: Drive-thru oil change center
- Time Commitment: Full-time, or semi-absentee with a store manager
- Experience Required: None; automotive experience not needed
About Strickland Brothers
Justin Strickland started as a minimum-wage hood technician and worked his way into district management at a competitor. Banks turned down his business plan, so his grandfather mortgaged the family home to fund it. He named the company after his two sons and opened in North Carolina in 2016.
Franchising began in 2020, and the brand now operates more than 285 locations across 27 states with an average Net Promoter Score of 84.7%. Beyond the drive-thru oil change, centers handle tire rotations, vehicle inspections, preventive maintenance, and fleet services, using nationally recognized Valvoline products.
Why Own a Strickland Brothers Franchise?
- A drive-thru, stay-in-your-car model built for speed and convenience, with service completed in about ten minutes.
- Oil changes recur every few months, so the customer base returns on its own schedule rather than as one-off transactions.
- The 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document reports average gross profit of $468,816 across the 39 franchised locations operating for all of 2023.
- A central marketing team manages 100% of marketing for every franchise store, from SEO and paid social to direct mail, reputation management, and retention programs.
- Inventory ordering, shelving, labeling, and stocking are handled through the brand’s inventory management system.
- Under the full development option, franchisees don’t buy the land or fund the construction.
Why This Opportunity, Why Now
ABF Market Analysis —
Oil changes are one of the most dependable service categories in the auto aftermarket — every gas-powered vehicle needs one on a regular cycle, whether the economy is strong or weak. People are also keeping cars longer, which means more maintenance visits per vehicle. Fleet accounts add a commercial customer base on top of retail traffic. The quick-lube segment is competitive, with Valvoline, Jiffy Lube, and Take 5 all established, which is why Strickland Brothers competes on hospitality and speed rather than on price alone.
ABF Timing Insight —
The system has grown to more than 285 locations, much of it company-owned, and has been franchising since 2020. Multi-unit development is available, and existing quick-lube owners can convert their locations with signage and remodel assistance. Site selection and lease negotiation support are provided for new builds. For candidates focused on a particular market, the first question is which territories remain open there — availability varies by market.
Training & Support
- Pre-opening training runs through Strickland Brothers University with additional video modules, followed by five full days at the corporate office and in-store training before opening.
- Each owner is assigned a Field Business Coach, with weekly meetings after opening, monthly income statement reviews, and quarterly visits.
- The central marketing team runs grand opening campaigns, local digital and social advertising, direct mail, reputation management, and customer loyalty programs, with quarterly ROI reporting.
- Pre-negotiated pricing on Valvoline motor oils and preferred vendor programs give owners purchasing power an independent shop would not have.
- Ongoing education includes monthly training workshops by video conference, bi-weekly sessions for owners and managers, and an annual franchise convention.
Franchise Owners That Thrive
- Customer-focused operators with hospitality or sales backgrounds
- Outgoing relationship builders
- Leaders who recruit, train, and retain hourly teams
- Competitive owners who want to grow
- Candidates comfortable following a proven system
Who Is Not A Good Fit
- Candidates who cannot meet the liquid capital requirement without borrowing
- Anyone seeking fully passive ownership
- Owners uncomfortable managing hourly technicians
- People who want to modify the operating model
- Candidates looking for a home-based business
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need automotive experience?
A: No. Training and onboarding cover operations, and the brand looks for owners who stay actively involved and follow the system — even when they hire a shop manager.
Q: Can I run a Strickland Brothers semi-absentee?
A: Yes. The central marketing team handles marketing for every franchise store, which frees owners to focus on hiring a strong store manager and holding the team accountable.
Q: How many employees does a center need?
A: Most start with five to six — a store manager if the owner isn’t operating day to day, an assistant manager, and four full-time technicians — growing as volume increases.
Q: Can I convert an existing quick lube?
A: Yes. Strickland Brothers works with existing quick-lube owners to convert their locations, with signage, remodel, and operational support.
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 recurring-revenue automotive business, a drive-thru model built on speed and hospitality, marketing handled for you by a central team, and a path to semi-absentee or multi-unit ownership, Strickland Brothers is worth a direct conversation. Complete the form below to request a qualification review and discuss territory availability for Strickland Brothers.
This profile represents general franchise information. Individual results may vary. Refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.