FranchiseVerdict
Big Al's Mufflers–Brakes & More logo
B65/100FDD 2026

Big Al's Mufflers–Brakes & More — Litigation & Risk

Automotive - Repair & Service · FDD Items 3, 4 & 5

Back to overview

Lower Risk

No litigation cases disclosed in FDD Items 3 and 4.

Source: FDD Items 3–5

FDD Items 3 & 4

Litigation Metrics

Cases disclosed
0
Total from FDD Items 3 and 4
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
—
Franchisor or officer bankruptcy
Overall risk score
65 / 100
FranchiseVerdict composite
Rating
MODERATE
STRONG / MODERATE / CAUTION / AVOID

7(a) FOIA data · FY2020–present

SBA Loan Performance

Aggregated from public SBA 7(a) loan disclosures. Default rate is the share of loans that were charged off or settled for less than the full balance.

Total 7(a) loans
1
Government-backed loans issued
Default rate
0.0%
vs <3% typical · system-wide
5-yr default rate
—
Defaults
0 loans
Loans charged off or defaulted

FDD Items 5, 6 & 17 — what you give up

Contract Risk Indicators

Mandatory arbitration
Required
Disputes resolved outside court — limits your legal options
Non-compete
2 yrs
Post-termination restriction on similar businesses
Franchisor can compete
Yes
Franchisor can open competing locations in or near your territory
Right of first refusal
Yes
Franchisor can match any purchase offer when you try to sell
Governing law
Virginia
State whose law governs disputes — relevant if you're not based there

What drove the 65/100 rating

Risk Score Breakdown

  1. 01MEDNo average revenue or net income disclosed in FDD Item 19 — impossible to validate ROI claims
  2. 02MINOROnly 14 units system-wide with unknown growth trajectory suggests stagnant or declining brand
  3. 03HIGHGoing Concern status is FALSE, indicating potential financial instability at franchisor level
  4. 04MINORTerritory completely unprotected — franchisees face internal competition and cannibalization risk
  5. 05MINORWide investment range ($99K-$1.09M) with no clarity on what drives 11x cost variance
  6. 06MINORLow franchise fee ($15K) paired with high royalties (5.5%) may indicate franchisor relies on royalty extraction vs. franchisee success

Severity inferred from FDD text — not a regulatory or legal classification

Litigation data from FDD Items 3, 4, and 5. SBA data from public 7(a) FOIA records (FY2020–present). Not legal advice — consult a franchise attorney before signing any franchise agreement.