● HOLD

Maaco

Automotive · Est. 1972 · 400 US Locations
✅ SBA Default Rate: 4.8%📊 SBA Default Rate Data Available — Unlock
Ideal Investor: Auto service operator seeking paint/body specialty
66
$200K – $550K
Total Investment
$25K
Franchise Fee
8.0%
Royalty Rate
400
US Units
Automotive
Category
+0.5%
Growth Rate

What is Maaco?

Founded in 1972, Maaco operates 400 US locations specializing in affordable automotive paint and restoration services. The franchise serves cost-conscious vehicle owners and builds revenue through painting and body service demand.

Visit Maaco franchise website ↗

Investment & Fee Data

Investment Overview

Franchise Fee$25K
Total Investment$200K – $550K
Royalty Rate8.0%
Ad/Marketing Fund2.0%
Total Fee Burden10.0%

System Size & Growth

US Locations400
Unit Growth Rate+0.5%
Founded1972
Franchising Since1974
FDD Item 19Yes ✓

🔒 Premium Data Available

Avg Unit Volume (AUV)$650K
Owner Earnings$70K
SBA Default Rate4.8%
5-Year Survival91%
Unlock All Data →
💡 What This Means For You
The combined fee burden of 10.0% is within the industry average of 8-10%. Beyond the listed investment, expect approximately $115K in hidden costs (working capital, legal, insurance, tech fees) — bringing your realistic total closer to $490K.

Financial Performance & Risk Analysis

Financial Performance

Avg Unit Volume (AUV)$650K
Net Profit Margin16%
Est. Owner Earnings$70K
Breakeven18-24 months
Payback Period4-6 years

Capital Requirements & Operations

Liquid Capital Required$75K
Net Worth Required$200K
Staff Required8-12
Training4 weeks
TerritoryProtected territory
Multi-Unit RequiredNo
Term Length5 years

Risk & SBA Safety Data

SBA Default Rate4.8%
5-Year Survival91%
Renewal Fee$1,500
Transfer Fee$5,000
💡 Financial Analysis
A revenue-to-investment ratio of 1.7x is solid and in line with industry norms. At estimated owner earnings of $70K/year, the simple payback period is approximately 5.4 years.
🔒

Premium Data

AUV, owner earnings, SBA default rates, breakeven analysis, and operational details for Maaco.

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Due Diligence Deep Dive

The data franchise brokers don't show you — real costs, owner lifestyle, franchisee satisfaction, exit options, and FDD transparency.

💰 True Cost of Ownership

Working Capital (6 mo)$50K
Legal & Accounting$12K
Insurance (Annual)$20K
Tech/Software (Monthly)$800/mo
Lease Deposit Est.$20K
Grand Opening$12K
Total Hidden Costs$115K

👤 Owner Reality Check

Hours Per Week50-65
Absentee Owner Friendly?No ✗
Manager-Run Possible?Yes ✓
Seasonal VariationModerate
Labor Cost (% of Revenue)40%
Manager-run possible. 50-65 hours/week for hands-on owner. Technician coordination critical. Seasonal variation with accident frequency.

📊 Franchisee Health

Satisfaction Score72/100 (Good)
Annual Turnover Rate5.5%
Litigation Count (Item 3)4 cases
5-Year Closure Rate6%
Avg Franchisee Tenure6 years
Franchisee AssociationYes ✓

🚪 Exit Strategy & Resale

Resale Value Multiple2.0-2.8xx earnings
Transfer RestrictionsFranchisor approval required
Non-Compete Period2 years
Non-Compete Radius5 miles
Avg Time to Sell6-12 months
Exit DifficultyModerate

📋 FDD Transparency Report

Item 19 QualityModerate
Item 19 Includes:
✓ Revenue estimate
✓ Operating costs
Territory ProtectionModerate
Territory assigned
Required Suppliers?Yes
Supplier Markup RiskLow
Renewal Terms5-year renewable

🚩 FDD Red Flags & Green Flags

⚠️ Watch Out For:
0.5% unit growthCyclical market
✅ Positive Signals:
$650K AUV16% margins4.8% SBA defaultSpecialized service
💡 Due Diligence Verdict
Only 4 litigation cases in the FDD is a positive sign of a healthy franchisor-franchisee relationship.
🔍

Due Diligence Data

Hidden costs, owner hours, franchisee satisfaction, exit strategy, FDD red flags — the data that matters for Maaco.

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AI Disruption Risk Assessment

🚨 AI Disruption Risk: High

70/100
AI-Proof Disruption Timeline: 5-10 years High Risk
Long-term EV threat significant; mid-term stable
AI Threats:
EV accident reductionAutonomous vehicles3D printing body panels
Defensive Moat:
Technician expertise, location
🤖

AI Risk Analysis

See how AI will impact Maaco over the next 5-10 years — threats, moats, and disruption timeline.

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Territory Saturation Analysis

0.12
Units per 100K pop.
0.11x
Saturation Index
vs. Automotive avg (1.05/100K)
45
States with Presence
Low Saturation
Maaco has significant whitespace opportunity relative to its category.

Geographic Distribution

No units
High density

Most Saturated States

State Units Population Per 100K
Washington DC9671,0001.34
Alaska9733,0001.23
Wyoming7581,0001.20
South Dakota8887,0000.90
North Dakota7781,0000.90

Least Saturated States

State Units Population Per 100K
Florida823,555,0000.03
Texas830,503,0000.03
California1439,029,0000.04
North Carolina710,849,0000.06
Pennsylvania812,961,0000.06

Growth Opportunity States

High-population states where Maaco has minimal or no presence — potential expansion territories.

Georgia Virginia Wisconsin Minnesota Kentucky
🗺️

Premium Territory Intelligence

Interactive density heatmap, saturation metrics, and growth opportunities for Maaco.

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Investment Thesis

Maaco carries a HOLD signal with a FutureScore of 66/100. A steady paint/body shop franchise. $650K AUV, 16% margins, and 4.8% SBA default respectable. 0.5% growth reflects mature market but stable.

Ideal Investor Profile: Auto service operator seeking paint/body specialty

Strengths

$650K AUV with 16% marginsSpecialized paint/body service (niche)Recurring customer base400+ unit base

Risk Factors

Stagnant 0.5% growth4.8% SBA default (moderate)Collision repair market cyclicality10% combined fees moderate-high

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