How Much Does a Carstar Franchise Cost?
Data from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document
Investment Summary
Total Investment
$24K – $804K
Franchise Fee
$10K
Royalty
Monthly Base Franchise Fee (greater of $1,000 or 1.5% of Monthly Base Volume) plus Monthly Growth Franchise Fee (4% of amount monthly Gross Sales exceeds Base Volume)
Ad Fund
1.0%
Cost Breakdown
Initial Franchise Fee
The initial franchise fee for Carstar is $10K. This one-time payment covers the right to operate under the brand, access to proprietary systems, and initial training programs.
Total Investment Range
Opening a Carstar franchise requires a total investment of $24K – $804K. This range typically includes real estate or leasehold improvements, equipment and fixtures, initial inventory, signage, insurance, and working capital to sustain operations during the ramp-up period.
Working capital alone ranges from $0 to $84K.
Ongoing Costs
Beyond the initial investment, Carstar franchisees pay ongoing fees. The royalty structure is: Monthly Base Franchise Fee (greater of $1,000 or 1.5% of Monthly Base Volume) plus Monthly Growth Franchise Fee (4% of amount monthly Gross Sales exceeds Base Volume). The advertising or brand fund contribution is 1.0% of gross sales.
Net Worth & Liquid Capital Requirements
Carstar requires working capital of $0 – $84K to cover initial operating expenses. This is the liquid cash you should have available beyond the franchise fee and buildout costs.
What Can You Earn?
According to Carstar's Item 19 financial performance representation:
Median gross sales: $2.6M
This figure comes from Item 19 of the FDD. Gross sales are not the same as take-home profit. After deducting royalties, ad fund fees, rent, labor, and COGS, net income is typically a fraction of gross revenue.
How Do Banks View Carstar?
SBA Loans Issued
40
Default Rate
0.0%
The SBA (Small Business Administration) tracks loan performance for franchise brands. Carstar has 40 SBA-backed loans on record. The default rate is 0.0%, which is below the franchise industry average, indicating relatively lower lending risk. A lower default rate generally indicates that lenders view the franchise as a safer investment, though past performance does not guarantee future results.
Next Steps
Talk to current Carstar franchise owners
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