Quick-lubes earn high ranks on Franchise 500 list

IRVINE, Calif. — Quick-lube franchises ranked highest among automotive-service businesses listed in Entrepreneur magazine's latest Franchise 500 ranking.

Jiffy Lube International (No. 37), Valvoline Instant Oil Change (39) and Grease Monkey (127) were the three highest-rated franchise programs in the automotive service category, the magazine reports in its February issue.

RNR Tire Express (133), Big O Tires (138) and Midas International (150) were the three highest-ranked tire and/or automotive service business franchises

Entrepreneur magazine ranks franchisors using a 150-point scale based on several criteria grouped under five primary categories: costs/fees; support; size and growth; brand strength; and financial strength/stability.

To be eligible for the ranking, a franchisor must have had a minimum of 10 units open and operating as of July 31, 2021, including at least one franchise located in North America, and must be seeking new franchisees in the U.S. or Canada.

Entrepreneur lists 16 companies in the automotive maintenance/repair category, which includes automotive tools/equipment; oil-change/preventive maintenance; auto collision repair; and auto accessories in addition to tires/tire service and general automotive repair.

Other firms in the auto repair/service category are Christian Brothers Automotive Corp. (202), AAMCO Transmission & Total Car Care (249), Tuffy Tire & Auto Service (277) and Tire Pros (434).

Others in the quick-lube category are Take 5 Oil Change (161) and SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service (407).

Mighty Auto Parts is ranked 426th.

Grouped by parent companies: Big O Tires and Midas International are owned by TBC Corp.; and FullSpeed Automotive owns both Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change.

Jim Bull, vice president and general manager, Big O Tires, said earning a spot among the top 150 franchise organizations "pays tribute to the stability, energy and achievements of the 'Team You Trust.'"

TBC/Big O provides franchisees with "extensive" support, resources and training to help owners excel, Bull said, along with a built-in customer base backed by strong brand recognition and proven marketing strategies, a history of proven processes and a "robust" supply chain.

The Entrepreneur magazine ranking follows by a few weeks a "Fast & Serious" ranking by Franchise Times magazine, which ranks the "smartest-growing" franchise brands.

Franchise Times included four auto service business franchisors among the 40 companies ranked:

• Take 5 Oil Change (Driven Brands) — No. 19
• Christian Brothers Auto — No. 29
• Valvoline Instant Oil Change — No. 35;
• RNR Tire Express — No. 38.

Franchise Times said it analyzes information on 10 data points — such as systemwide sales growth and unit growth — using a proprietary formula to come up with the Fast & Serious ranking/

The magazine said it uses data submitted by franchising companies for the annual Franchise Times Top 400, which is based on total system revenue. The Fast & Serious ranking is meant to identify fast-growing franchise systems that also have staying power.