FAQs

Christian Brothers Automotive is proud to offer a remarkably low investment for our franchise owners. We look for franchisees who have a net worth of at least $250,000. The total franchise fee is $85,000. For more investment information, click here.

To open a brand new auto repair facility with Christian Brothers Automotive, we can confidently estimate total startup costs to range between $454,250 and $582,400. The vast majority of our new franchisees consider a 10-year conventional loan to purchase their franchise, which will cover the vast majority of these costs. CBA has preferred lending partners that most of our franchisees opt to work with to secure their startup loan as well as an in-house Finance Team that will assist you directly with securing and funding your loan.

For over 40 years, Christian Brothers Automotive has endeavored to change what guests expect from their auto repair service. Our Nice Difference® acts as our guide to prioritize transparency, fairness, and putting people first. It’s this people-first philosophy that ensures every transaction and interaction is centered on respect, transparency, and integrity, and it’s why our guests trust that we'll do the right thing for them and their vehicle. Click here to learn more about what sets us apart.

Christian Brothers Automotive franchises open at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. We are never open on Saturday and Sunday. While many guests are used to having their car serviced on the weekends, we offer creative ways to serve them during the week, like providing a free shuttle service to and from their home or work, or vehicle pick-up and drop-off so they don’t even need to leave home or work to have service performed. This allows our guests, our franchisees and their team members the luxury of spending more time with friends and family during the weekends.

If you’re ready to learn more about the Christian Brothers Automotive franchise opportunity, reach out! We’d love to hear from you, and we’re happy to answer any questions you might have.

Franchisees receive training and support in all critical aspects of their business including financials, expense-management, operational workflow, guest service, team leadership, profitability, technical automotive, marketing, and more. Additionally, new Franchisees spend time at a Certified Training Location, learning the ins and outs of shop workflow, and time with a Certified Field Trainer, learning the ins and outs of business management before entering their own shop. We begin training approximately three months prior to the store’s opening and franchisees will receive additional training post-open with ongoing support in all of the above areas. 

Absolutely not. While automotive experience doesn’t hurt, around 85% of our franchisees have never worked in the industry prior to joining Christian Brothers Automotive. All you need is a desire to learn so you can serve your team and guests well!

Christian Brothers Automotive utilizes a Houston-based Master Broker and an extensive local broker network in all of the markets that we’ve identified as an opportunity. Once a site is identified and meets initial diligence requirements, CBA will travel to the market to fly the site(s) in a helicopter to see real-time what exists near the site, any adjacent or nearby residential and commercial developments, traffic flow and patterns, etc. Once a site is selected, CBA will submit an LOI in an effort to purchase the real estate for the future location.

Christian Brothers Automotive defines a protected territory for all of our franchised locations and includes the specific territory in the Franchise Agreement. We define these territories using a myriad of criteria, including but not limited to, traffic counts, population count, growth projections, drive-time from the location, natural and man-made boundaries (for example, a river or a major highway), core customer base, incomes, neighboring CBA territories, zip codes, etc. 

We have a dedicated, full-time Finance Team at our Support Center in Houston that assists our franchisees through the funding process in securing their startup loan. Traditionally, these are procured with one of our preferred lending partners. Also, in some instances, franchisees elect to utilize the ROBS program to start their business. In any event, CBA does not have a “standard” method, but rather, we assist our franchisees in the avenue they feel is best suited for their situation.

The full process (from an executed LOI on a piece of real estate to the business opening) generally takes approximately 30 to 36 months. However, every Christian Brothers Automotive franchise site development timeline varies depending on site availability, permitting, construction, and local market requirements. Within the development process, Christian Brothers Automotive assists with site selection and approval, contract negotiations, due diligence, permitting, building design, and construction. In some markets, preselected or “SPEC” sites may already be further along in the development process, which can reduce the overall opening timeline.

An ideal Christian Brothers Automotive franchise owner is a values-driven leader who is motivated to develop people, serve their community, and operate a successful business. Candidates do not need previous automotive experience, as more than 85% of Christian Brothers Automotive franchisees entered the system without an automotive background. CBA looks for candidates who have demonstrated career progression, team leadership experience, have sales and influencing skills, and a commitment to ongoing personal and professional development. Ideal candidates should also be self-motivated, resilient, comfortable leading others toward shared goals, and aligned with Christian Brothers Automotive’s culture, core values, and business principles. The ideal franchisee sees their role not as a “job” but rather as a mission-driven opportunity to make a large impact on those around them.

Yes. Christian Brothers Automotive offers opportunities for qualified existing franchise owners to own and operate multiple locations. However, new franchisees begin with a single location, as the multi-unit program is not available at the start of the franchise relationship. Existing franchise owners may become eligible to apply for additional locations based on their experience and performance within the system. This approach allows franchisees to establish a strong foundation, develop an effective team, and demonstrate that they can successfully operate their first shop before expanding into multi-unit ownership.

Christian Brothers Automotive locations provide full-service automotive maintenance, diagnostic, and repair solutions for domestic and foreign vehicles. Services may include advanced vehicle diagnostics, digital vehicle inspections, preventative maintenance, oil and filter changes, brake services, engine repairs, electrical system services, heating and air-conditioning services, steering and suspension repairs, and other general automotive repairs. In addition to technical automotive services, Christian Brothers Automotive locations differentiate the guest experience through clear communication, a clean and welcoming environment, Courtesy Inspections, and complimentary shuttle services where available. Individual services may vary by location and vehicle requirements.

Christian Brothers Automotive provides franchisees with dedicated marketing training, consultation, advertising assistance, and promotional support. New owners receive access to a Marketing Coaching team that helps prepare local marketing efforts for the store opening and provides guidance beyond the launch. The marketing onboarding process includes training on the tools and resources available to franchisees. After opening, owners may continue meeting with the Marketing Coaching team to develop a customized approach to their shop’s local promotional needs. The support team also monitors store marketing metrics and provides insights into the strategies that may help franchisees work toward their annual goals. Franchisees also benefit from national marketing, established brand recognition, online resources, advertising and promotional materials, and ongoing guidance designed to build local awareness, attract guests, and encourage customer loyalty.