TL;DR
Maaco, a North American auto body and paint franchise, offers investment opportunities with initial costs ranging from $196,000 to $3,994,000 and three revenue streams. The brand, owned by Driven Brands, aims to revolutionize the auto paint and body repair industry with an affordable, high-volume model.
Maaco is North America's No. 1 auto body and paint franchise, recognized for its affordable, high-volume model providing fast, reliable service for paint, collision and fleet needs.
Founded in 1972 by Anthony A. Martino, Maaco aims to revolutionize the auto paint and body repair industry with an affordable, high-volume model focused on fast, reliable service. The first Maaco center opened in Wilmington, Delaware, and over the next five decades, the brand became synonymous with “America’s Body Shop.” Today, Maaco is owned by Driven Brands , the largest automotive services company in North America, which also owns Meineke , Take 5 Oil Change and CARSTAR .
Mission: To deliver affordable, high-quality auto painting and collision repair services that keep vehicles looking and performing their best.
Vision: To continue leading the automotive aftercare industry through innovation and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction.
Key benefits
Trusted Brand: More than 50 years of experience and nationwide recognition.
Comprehensive Auto Care: Paint, collision and fleet services under one roof.
50+ Years of Experience: A half-century of trusted service and expertise in auto body and paint.
Nationwide Warranties: Peace of mind with warranties honored across all Maaco locations.
Works with Every Major Insurance Carrier: Seamless repair process with direct communication with your insurance provider.
Proven, recession-resistant model in the $325 billion automotive aftercare industry.
Three revenue streams: spot repair, retail paint and fleet services.
Comprehensive training and ongoing field support.
Bulk purchasing power through Driven Brands for paint, parts and equipment.
Technology-driven operations for tracking KPIs and optimizing profitability.
National brand recognition and advertising support.
Maaco is currently focusing on multi-unit growth opportunities across the United States, with a minimum of three units commitment to start. Visit the Maaco franchise website for more information.
Investment costs
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Maaco franchise ranges from $196,000 to $644,000 for an Auto Body Conversion center and $728,500 to $3,994,000 for a Ground Up or Non-Auto Retrofit center. The 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $45,000, due at signing of the franchise agreement. Veterans and qualified area developers may be eligible for discounted fees under Maaco’s Veterans Program and Development Incentive Addendum.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2025 FDD, Maaco franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing costs and fees:
ROI Potential: According to the 2025 FDD, the 317 Maaco centers open for two years or longer reported the following gross receipts for FY 2024:
New owners and managers complete Maaco University, a multi-week program combining classroom instruction, hands-on shop training and business operations education. Training covers everything from production flow and paint processes to hiring and marketing.
Franchisees receive comprehensive operational support, including real estate and site selection assistance, store design and construction guidance, and a robust opening support and launch marketing plan. They also gain access to dedicated field consultants and performance coaching, with key performance indicator (KPI) tracking facilitated through Driven Brands.
Maaco provides franchisees with advanced technology and tools, including proprietary performance dashboards and reporting software for tracking key metrics. Franchisees also benefit from centralized procurement through the DrivenAdvantage Platform, ensuring competitive pricing on paint, parts and equipment. The brand offers digital estimating and workflow management tools to streamline operations, alongside an online portal for comprehensive operations, HR, and financial reporting.
Franchisee requirements
Business or management experience preferred, but automotive background not required. Maaco seeks multi-unit investors, experienced operators or entrepreneurs who can build and lead strong teams.
Maaco allows for both owner-operator and semi-absentee models. Owners typically employ a general manager and eight to 12 technicians, depending on shop volume.
Maaco is SBA-approved and has relationships with third-party lenders for equipment and working capital financing. Veterans may also qualify for discounted fees through the brand’s Maaco Vets Program.
“Anybody who has the real power to work hard can come in and start up with Maaco. Maaco provides you with excellent tech support from day one — from when you buy the franchise all the way through.”
- Rizwan Afzal , Franchisee — Windsor, New Jersey
“When we first looked at businesses, Maaco was attractive because it’s a proven system. We wanted the whole recipe — from marketing support to operational support — and it was very attractive to us for all those reasons.”
- Mark Goulding, Franchisee — Portland, Oregon
Market outlook
The U.S. automotive aftermarket is valued at $430 billion and continues to grow as consumers hold onto vehicles longer — averaging nearly 12.5 years of ownership . With over 280 million cars on the road, the demand for paint, body and cosmetic repair remains strong.
Key competitors include: Midas , CARSTAR , Meineke , Big O Tires , Tint World and NAPA Auto Parts . Maaco’s advantage lies in brand recognition, scale, and Driven Brands’ shared resources — giving franchisees unmatched access to marketing, vendor discounts, and technology.
Concept Overview: Get an introduction to the Maaco model and what ownership entails.
Real Estate and Marketing Strategy: Discuss territory, site approach and initial marketing; generate a letter of intent (LOI) for your territory.
FDD and Operations Overview: Review the Franchise Disclosure Document and operations; bring questions and review the LOI.
Sign LOI and Validate: Execute a 30-day LOI, conduct due diligence and validation, and attend Discovery Day.
Area Development Agreement Paperwork and Review: Complete ADA paperwork and participate in an ADA review call.
Operations Interview and Onboarding Plan: Meet with the VP of Operations and align on the onboarding plan.
Final Approval: Move through Maaco’s internal approval process.
Onboarding and Welcome: Sign documents, begin onboarding and schedule your welcome call.
Complete and submit the online form on Maaco’s franchise website to get the process started.
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In this story
This story was originally published in 1851 Franchise on April 17, 2026. Burnaze summarizes and links to the original reporting.
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