Carstar
Automotive · Auto Repair & Maintenance
- Active units
- 471
Franchised, year-end 2024
About Carstar
CARSTAR Auto Body is a well-known auto body repair franchise in the United States. It was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company operates over 500 collision repair centers throughout the United States, making it one of the largest networks of its kind in North America. CARSTAR Auto Body offers a wide range of services, including paintless dent repair, auto painting, frame repair, and windshield replacements. Their highly skilled technicians use advanced technology and tools to ensure high-quality repairs and customer satisfaction. In addition, CARSTAR Auto Body has partnerships with major insurance companies to streamline the claims process for customers. On a global scale, CARSTAR Auto Body has expanded its operations to countries like Canada and China. In Canada, the company operates over 300 franchise locations, making it the largest network of collision repair centers in the country. CARSTAR Auto Body also has joint ventures in China with local partners to tap into the growing market for auto body repair services. In terms of market position, CARSTAR Auto Body is a leader in the collision repair industry. With its vast network of repair centers and strong relationships with insurance providers, the company has established a solid reputation for its quality and efficient services. Competitors in the industry include Maaco and Service King, but CARSTAR Auto Body has managed to maintain a strong presence and stay ahead of the competition. In recent years, CARSTAR Auto Body has made significant advancements in its technology and operations. They have implemented advanced repair techniques, such as computerized paint matching and laser frame measuring, to further improve the accuracy and efficiency of repairs. The company has also focused on expanding its network and establishing strategic partnerships to continue its growth trajectory. As of the latest information available, CARSTAR Auto Body continues to grow and expand its presence both domestically and internationally. They have been recognized for their exceptional customer service and commitment to environmental sustainability. CARSTAR Auto Body remains a trusted and reputable choice for auto body repairs in the United States and beyond.
Key terms
- Franchise fee
$10k
- Footprint
12,000 – 20,000 sq ft
- Development Agreement
$100k
- Veteran discount
Not offered
Brand Percentile Rankings
Rankings compare brands in the same operating year. Fee and investment figures come from the FDD (2025 filing); filings on file: 2024, 2025.
Growth
- Total locations—
Franchised units open at year-end
- New openings—
Gross new units opened during the calendar year
- 1-year unit growth rate—
Net unit growth versus prior year
- 3-year unit CAGR—
Compound annual growth rate of unit count over the trailing 3 years
- Unit growth ratio—
Cumulative opens / closures through year-end
Unit economics
- Annual unit volume (Median)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (25th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- Annual unit volume (75th percentile)—
Per FDD Item 19 disclosure
- 1-year Median AUV growth rate5.6%
Year-over-year change in median AUV
- Store-level EBITDA Margin—
Median unit-level EBITDA / AUV
Investment profile
- Estimated initial investment$551k
Midpoint of estimated initial investment range
↓ Lower is better - Time to open11 months
Midpoint of average time from agreement to opening
↓ Lower is better - Royalty rate—
Percent of net sales paid to the franchisor
- Sales-to-investment ratio—
Median AUV / estimated initial investment midpoint
- Cash-on-cash returns—
Median unit-level EBITDA / estimated initial investment midpoint. Steady-state estimate; year 1 returns will be lower as the unit ramps to median volumes.
Franchisee healthLocked
- Unit closure ratio
- Transfer vs. closure ratio
- Percent multi-unit franchisees
- Litigation rate
- EBITDA multiple on sales & transfers
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Sources
Financial and operating figures are sourced from the brand's Franchise Disclosure Documents. Brand percentile rankings are based on comparisons to other brands that include the same metrics in their Franchise Disclosure Documents.