2026 FDD Issued Apr 17, 2026 Minnesota Commerce (CARDS) Checked Oct 22, 2026
Christian Brothers Automotive Franchise Cost (2026)
A Christian Brothers Automotive franchise costs an estimated $515,250 – $650,400 to open, according to Item 7 of the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). That total includes the $85,000 initial franchise fee (Item 5) and covers this format: Standard Automotive Center. Item 6 lists continuing royalty fees: 50% of monthly Split Profits, subject to the conditions below.
- Total investment
- $515K – $650KItem 7 source and qualifications
- Franchise fee
- $85KItem 5 source and terms
- Royalty
- 50% of monthly Split ProfitsItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Brand fund
- VariesItem 6 conditions and fee bases apply
- Units (2025)
- 326Item 20 source and scope
- Franchise exit rate
- 0% / yrCalculated 3-year average; definition and source
What stands out about Christian Brothers Automotive
The royalty is 50% of monthly Split Profits of defined Split Profits rather than a share of top-line sales. CBAC deducts approved Shared Expenses from revenue to calculate that amount, while certain Unshared Expenses trigger an additional matching royalty. A buyer comparing Item 19 Net Sales with this fee must keep the two measures separate.
CBAC develops the property and leases the new repair facility to the franchisee. Item 7 therefore shows no initial land or construction purchase in $515,250 – $650,400, while Item 6 lists substantial monthly base rent and triple-net obligations. Equipment, furniture and software are a large part of the upfront estimate. The rent can exceed the disclosed range for a requested site with higher land and building costs.
Item 20 reports 24 openings and no franchised outlet exits in 2025. Item 19 includes stores operating for the entire year and omits locations opened during that period. The annual Net Sales figures are not a projection for a new center. On a sale, the FDD also lists a royalty on net proceeds alongside a transfer fee, and a separate transaction fee when CBAC finds or supplies the buyer.
What are the initial franchise fees and financial requirements for Christian Brothers Automotive?
Item 5 lists an initial franchise fee of $85,000 for Christian Brothers Automotive. Check the cited Item 5 for payment timing, discounts and format-specific terms.
Item 5 PDF pp. 14-16 states a standard $85,000 initial fee, with a 10% discount for qualified current or former U.S. service members. The first $20,000 is nonrefundable when paid. The remaining $65,000 can be returned in stated circumstances before the franchisor executes a land acquisition contract, sometimes less documented site costs; after that contract, the whole fee is nonrefundable.
Source: Christian Brothers Automotive 2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 14.
This record lists no minimum net worth or liquid-capital requirement for Christian Brothers Automotive, because no sourced figure has been recorded. Ask the franchisor for its current financial qualifications in writing.
How much does it cost to open a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise? (Item 7)
Source: Christian Brothers Automotive 2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 27.
Item 7 of Christian Brothers Automotive’s 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document estimates the total cost to open one standard automotive center at $515,250 – $650,400. This total includes the initial franchise fee.
| Expense Category | Low ($) | High ($) |
|---|---|---|
| INITIAL FRANCHISE FEE | $85,000 | $85,000 |
| REAL ESTATE AND IMPROVEMENTS | $0 | $0 |
| EQUIPMENT, FURNITURE AND SOFTWARE | $270,000 | $300,000 |
| SHUTTLE VEHICLE | $30,000 | $50,000 |
| SHUTTLE VEHICLE WRAP | $1,750 | $3,400 |
| INVENTORY | $11,000 | $12,000 |
| SECURITY DEPOSITS | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| SIGNS | $0 | $0 |
| INSURANCE & BUSINESS LICENSE | $15,000 | $60,000 |
| MARKETING/ADVERTISING | $35,000 | $40,000 |
| NEW STORE OPENING MARKETING/ADVERTISING | $20,000 | $30,000 |
| PRE-OPENING TRAINING TRAVEL/SALARY | $7,500 | $10,000 |
| OTHER PAYMENTS | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| ADDITIONAL FUNDS DURING INITIAL 3 MONTHS | $30,000 | $40,000 |
| Total | $515,250 | $650,400 |
Item 7 (PDF pages 27-32) details capital requirements for a complete automotive repair facility. Real estate acquisition and facility construction are funded directly by the franchisor and leased back to the franchisee, resulting in zero initial real estate purchase cost.
What ongoing royalties and fees does Christian Brothers Automotive charge? (Item 6)
Source: Christian Brothers Automotive 2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 17.
Item 6 of Christian Brothers Automotive’s 2026 FDD lists the charges below. Recurring charges and charges triggered by a transfer, renewal or other event have different conditions. Read each fee’s basis and notes before comparing rates.
How to read an Item 6 fee table.
| Fee Type | Amount / Rate | Payment Frequency | Notes & Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continuing Royalty Fees | 50% of monthly Split Profits | Every period | 50% of monthly Split Profits, defined as revenues less approved Shared Expenses. Certain Unshared Expenses trigger an equal royalty payment. Estimated monthly payments are reconciled annually. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Additional Training and Support Fees | Varies | When it applies | Amount established by CBAC if mandatory or optional additional training is offered; franchisee pays related travel and living expenses. (Item 6, PDF p. 17) |
| Administrative and Accounting Fees | $550 per month | Every period | Currently $550 monthly for required accounting and administrative services. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Optional Sales and Use Tax Filing | $25 per month | When it applies | Optional monthly sales and use tax filing service. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Optional Personal Property Tax Rendition | $75 per year | When it applies | Optional annual personal property tax rendition service. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Marketing Fee - National Program | Varies | Every period | Prorated share of national program costs, beginning after six months. Combined national and regional annual cap equals 3% of previous calendar year average annual revenue of eligible mature franchisees; not 3% of this owner’s sales. (Item 6, PDF p. 18) |
| Marketing Fee - Regional Programs | Varies | Every period | Prorated share of applicable regional programs, beginning after six months and included with national program in the combined cap. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Transfer Fee | $30,000 | When it applies | $10,000 due on approved term sheet or letter of intent and $20,000 on sale closing. (Item 6, PDF p. 19) |
| Transaction Fee | Varies | When it applies | If CBAC finds or supplies a buyer, greater of 7% of gross business transaction value or $50,000, in addition to the transfer fee. Nonrefundable deposit is greater of $10,000 or 1% of listing price. (Item 6, PDF p. 20) |
| Lease Payments | $22,000 – $38,000 per month | Every period | Approximate base rent for a new facility, plus triple-net costs. Amount can exceed the range at an owner-requested site; base rent rises 1.5% annually. Lease may be with CBAC, affiliate or third party. (Item 6, PDF p. 20) |
| IT Support Fee | $200 per month | Every period | Currently $200 monthly, subject to stated annual increase limit. (Item 6, PDF p. 20) |
| Software and Related Maintenance/License Fees | $11,000 per year | Every period | Approximate $11,000 annual software maintenance/license cost, drafted monthly, plus data overages. Initial software cost of approximately $1,650 is an upfront Item 5/7 cost. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Operating Systems and Internet Failover | $725 per month | Every period | Approximate $725 monthly for point-of-sale, accounting and failover systems, plus data overages. (Item 6, PDF p. 21) |
| Loan Administration Fee | $2,500 – $4,000 | When it applies | $2,500 when using CBAC loan administration, including refinancing; $4,000 when arranging own startup financing. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Liquidated Damages | Varies | When it applies | For termination due to confidentiality or noncompete violation: average monthly royalty over prior 12 months times the lesser of 48 months or full months remaining in term. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Step-In Rights Management Fee | $5,000 per month | When it applies | $5,000 monthly plus representative compensation and expenses when CBAC manages a business under its step-in rights. (Item 6, PDF p. 22) |
| Renewal Fee | Varies | When it applies | 10% of the initial franchise fee paid for the most recently sold franchise at renewal; not a fixed amount. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
| Sale Event Royalty Fee | Varies | When it applies | 50% of net sale proceeds after retiring outstanding business debts on an approved sale or control transfer, in addition to transfer and possible transaction fees. (Item 6, PDF p. 23) |
Explore annual fees and payback assumptions
This fee schedule cannot be reduced to the calculator’s simple sales-based formula. Enter your own assumptions and check them against the Item 6 terms.
Christian Brothers Automotive startup investment and modeled fees over 10 years
The royalty is 50% of Split Profits, a defined amount after approved Shared Expenses, rather than a percentage of Item 19 Net Sales. Marketing payments are prorated program costs with a combined cap based on the prior-year average revenue of eligible stores, not a flat share of this outlet’s sales. Rent, software pass-throughs and tax services vary. The sales figure cannot support a single annual fee illustration. See the fee amounts and definitions in Item 6 above. Open the calculator with your own assumptions.
Item 20: Christian Brothers Automotive franchised outlet history
Source: Christian Brothers Automotive 2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 77.
Item 20 Table 3 reports 326 franchised outlets at the end of 2025. The company-owned table reports a further 0 outlets. Our calculated average annual franchised exit rate is 0% across the 3 reported years, using the definition below.
| Year | Franchised at Start | Opened | Reported Exits | At End | Franchise Exit Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 265 | 15 | 0 | 280 | 0% |
| 2024 | 280 | 22 | 0 | 302 | 0% |
| 2025 | 302 | 24 | 0 | 326 | 0% |
Franchised units went from 265 to 326 over 3 years (+61).
Reported exits include terminations, non-renewals, franchisor reacquisitions and other cessations. A reacquired outlet may continue operating. How we calculate the exit rate. How to read the Item 20 outlet tables. Compare Christian Brothers Automotive’s exit rate with other brands.
13 units changed owners in 2025.
How much do Christian Brothers Automotive franchise owners make? (Item 19)
Source: Christian Brothers Automotive 2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 67.
Item 19 of the 2026 FDD reports median Unit Volume Net Sales (All 302 Stores) of $2,702,696 (2025, 302 franchisee-owned stores open the entire year 2025). Christian Brothers Automotive’s Item 19 reports sales but no profit, costs or owner pay. Rent, payroll, supplies, loan payments and Item 6 fees such as the royalty (50% of monthly Split Profits) come out of sales before an owner is paid, so these figures cannot show what an owner earns.
See every Christian Brothers Automotive Item 19 figure, with its period and sample.
Payback calculator (enter your own assumptions) Check any inputs against this record’s Item 7 startup costs and Item 6 fee rules.
How to interpret Christian Brothers Automotive’s Item 19 figures and sample limits.
How long is the Christian Brothers Automotive franchise agreement term?
Source: Christian Brothers Automotive 2026 FDD, Item 17, PDF p. 62.
The standard Christian Brothers Automotive franchise agreement runs 15 years, with renewal terms of 5 years.
Initial term is 15 years for a new location, with three consecutive five-year renewal options subject to conditions. A buyer of an existing location receives the remainder of the seller’s term and renewal options.
How long does it take to open a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise? (Item 11)
Source: Christian Brothers Automotive 2026 FDD, Item 11, PDF p. 44.
Item 11 of the 2026 FDD states the time from the franchisee's first payment to opening: 3 to 48 months in past openings, with a typical average of 30 to 36 months.
Franchises with a similar investment range
These published records are selected by proximity to Christian Brothers Automotive’s $515,250 low-end Item 7 investment, starting with Automotive. Formats, fees and source qualifications differ; the figures are not interchangeable budgets:
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Frequently Asked Questions about Christian Brothers Automotive
- How much does it cost to open a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise?
- Item 7 of the 2026 FDD estimates $515,250-$650,400 for a new center. The franchisor develops and leases the property, so the estimate excludes an initial land purchase, but rent and triple-net costs recur.
- How is the Christian Brothers Automotive royalty calculated?
- Item 6 charges 50% of monthly Split Profits, which are revenues less approved Shared Expenses, and reconciles estimated payments after each year. This is not 50% of Net Sales. Some Unshared Expenses also require a matching royalty payment.
- What sales does the FDD disclose?
- Item 19 reports average 2025 Net Sales of $2,865,872 and median Net Sales of $2,702,696 across 302 franchised stores open all year. The underlying financial statements were unaudited. Net Sales are not owner profit.
- How long is the franchise agreement?
- Item 17 states an initial 15-year term for a new location and three possible five-year renewals, subject to the stated requirements. An existing-location buyer receives the remainder of the seller’s term and renewal options.
Sources
Christian Brothers Automotive Corporation Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 17, 2026, as filed with the Minnesota Commerce (CARDS). Read the source FDD PDF. How to get this FDD yourself.
- Item 5: cited PDF p. 14
- Item 6: cited PDF p. 17
- Item 7: cited PDF p. 27
- Item 19: cited PDF p. 66
- Item 20: cited PDF p. 77
- Agreement term (Item 17): cited PDF p. 62
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Document & verification changelog
- October 29, 2026: Record updated.
- October 22, 2026: Source check completed against the recorded FDD.
- October 22, 2026: Initial cost profile published from the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (issued April 17, 2026).