Christian Brothers Automotive^®

Automotive • Year: 2025

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What Is Christian Brothers Automotive?

Christian Brothers Automotive is a franchise in the Automotive category that offers automotive repair and maintenance services. It operates from brick-and-mortar repair and service facilities. The primary customers are the general public (B2C), and the core service bundle is automotive repair and maintenance delivered through each franchise service facility.

Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise: Pros and Cons

The franchisor provides exceptional onboarding, with a perfect 100 training score and 545 initial training hours, giving franchisees unusually extensive hands-on preparation before opening. However, upfront capital is steep: initial franchise fees of $121,500–$135,000 and Item 7 minimum assets of $297,750 are both well above automotive norms.

Pros

Training score of 100 and 545 initial training hours, both well above automotive norms — the franchisor invests heavily in onboarding, giving you extensive hands‑on preparation before opening.

Zero outlet terminations, non‑renewals, reacquisitions and government penalties — all well below automotive norms — indicate unusually low recorded churn and no recent regulatory problems, which points to operational stability among current franchisees.

Initial franchise fees are refundable on failure (an uncommon concession—about 87% of systems keep fees non‑refundable), which reduces your downside risk if the opening does not proceed as planned.

Cons

Initial franchise fee of $121,500–$135,000 and Item 7 minimum assets of $297,750 are both well above automotive norms, significantly increasing the upfront capital you'll need to get started.

Zero company‑owned units — well below automotive norms — means the franchisor doesn't operate its own locations to pilot changes, which limits their ability to test and iterate operational systems on your behalf.

One franchisor‑initiated enforcement action — above the norm — shows the franchisor actively pursues legal enforcement, suggesting stricter standards and potential friction with operators.

Lawsuits & Legal Risk

79/100

NORMAL

Facts: An applicant alleges CBAC violated 42 U.S.C. §1981 by denying a franchise opportunity; Texas DTPA claims were dismissed and §1981 claims remain pending. Advice: Review applicant-selection policies, written offers/communications, franchise agreement termination clauses and post‑termination obligations; obtain relevant pleadings and consult franchise counsel on nondiscrimination exposure.

Territory Protection

50/100

NORMAL

Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units; protection is contingent on performance quotas and market density considerations. Franchisor retains rights to sell via alternative distribution channels, develop nearby units (no right of first refusal), and acquire/convert locations; franchisee retains site-specific relocation rights.

Training & Support

100

Excellent

The brand provides a comprehensive 545-hour training curriculum designed to prepare 0 designated trainees through classroom instruction, hands-on shop experience, and operational systems training. The program includes on-site launch assistance for operational readiness, provided without an additional on-site-support fee, with travel and lodging expenses the responsibility of the franchisee.

Unit Growth Analysis

This franchise is exhibiting an accelerating growth trend: units rose from 265 (2023) to 280 (2024) — a +15-unit, +5.7% increase — then to 302 (2025) — a +22-unit, +7.9% increase. For investors, the uptick (a ~2.2 percentage-point increase in year-over-year growth from 5.7% to 7.9%, and a net +37 units / ~14.0% cumulative growth over two years) suggests improving franchise health and stronger unit-level demand, though the overall scale remains moderate.

How Much Does It Cost to Open a Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise?

Opening a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise requires a total initial investment of $550,250 to $680,400, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.

Minimum Investment

$550,250

Franchise Fee

Real Estate

Equipment & Assets

Reserves

Training

Other

Maximum Investment

$680,400

Minimum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$121,500

Real Estate$5,000

Equipment & Assets$297,750

Reserves$30,000

Training$7,500

Other$88,500

Maximum Investment Breakdown

Franchise Fee$135,000

Real Estate$5,000

Equipment & Assets$345,400

Reserves$40,000

Training$10,000

Other$145,000

Investment Analysis

This investment analysis is coming soon. Have ideas for other analyses you'd like us to add? Get in touch.

The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.

How Much Do Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise Owners Make?

Average Gross Sales:

N/A

Median Gross Sales:

N/A

Sample Size:

280

Franchise vs Corporate Performance: All reported financial performance data in this Item 19 relates to franchisee-owned stores; no company-owned outlet performance is provided for comparison, so relative franchisee vs corporate performance cannot be assessed from the disclosure.

Performance Variability Analysis: The filing indicates variability in owner outcomes—three stores had negative NOI in 2024—suggesting meaningful dispersion in profitability among locations even though the full distribution metrics are not provided.

Data Scope and Limitations: The schedules referenced cover 265 and 280 franchisee-owned stores for 2023 and 2024, but the actual numeric tables are missing from the provided text, limiting quantitative analysis and requiring review of the underlying schedules for detailed figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to open a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise?

The total initial investment for a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise ranges from $550,250 to $680,400, according to the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. This includes the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and working capital.

What is the Christian Brothers Automotive initial franchise fee?

The initial franchise fee for Christian Brothers Automotive is $135,000, as stated in the 2025 FDD. This fee is paid upon signing the Franchise Agreement.

Does Christian Brothers Automotive have any franchise lawsuits or legal issues?

Christian Brothers Automotive received a legal risk score of 79 out of 100 in the 2025 FDD analysis. Facts: An applicant alleges CBAC violated 42 U.S.C.

Does Christian Brothers Automotive offer exclusive franchise territories?

Christian Brothers Automotive received a territory protection score of 50 out of 100. Grants a protected operating area where the franchisor will not place other physical units; protection is contingent on performance quotas and market density considerations.

What training does Christian Brothers Automotive provide to new franchisees?

Christian Brothers Automotive received a training and support score of 100 out of 100. The brand provides a comprehensive 545-hour training curriculum designed to prepare 0 designated trainees through classroom instruction, hands-on shop experience, and operational systems training.

How many Christian Brothers Automotive franchise locations are there?

Christian Brothers Automotive had 302 total locations as of the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document.

What type of business is Christian Brothers Automotive?

Christian Brothers Automotive is a franchise in the Automotive category that offers automotive repair and maintenance services.

Interested in Christian Brothers Automotive?

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