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A43/100FDD 2025

Tuffy — Litigation & Risk

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

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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
43 / 100
FranchiseVerdict composite
Rating
STRONG
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
99
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
Not required
You retain the right to sue in court
Jury trial waiver
Waived
You give up the right to a jury trial
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
Ohio
State whose law governs disputes — relevant if you're not based there

What drove the 43/100 rating

Risk Score Breakdown

  1. 01MINORStagnant unit growth (1.0% YoY) suggests mature/declining system despite 129 locations
  2. 02MEDNet income not disclosed in FDD — unable to verify profitability claims against $1.4M avg revenue
  3. 03MINORWide investment range ($222K–$723.5K) indicates inconsistent startup costs and unclear ROI pathways
  4. 04MINORTiered royalty structure (2.5% vs 5%) creates cash flow pressure after 6 months; lower tire/battery rate may mask true effective royalty
  5. 05MINOR15-year term is longer than industry standard (10 years typical), locking franchisees into aging brand with minimal growth trajectory

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.