Dealer Specialties franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Dealer Specialties franchise fee is $10,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $13,677,450 to $18,771,900, with about $2,990,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Dealer Specialties FDD.
What are the Dealer Specialties franchise fees and investment?
The Dealer Specialties franchise requires a franchise fee of $10,000 and a total initial investment of $13,677,450 to $18,771,900. The franchise fee is one line inside the total investment, which also covers location, equipment, opening inventory and working capital.
| Franchise fee (FDD Item 5) | $10,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $13,677,450 to $18,771,900 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $2,990,000 |
| US locations | 69 |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Headquarters | Middletown, Ohio |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Franchising since | 1995 |
How does the Dealer Specialties investment compare with other automotive franchises?
Dealer Specialties's minimum investment of $13,677,450 is above the median minimum investment of $235,400 across the 124 automotive franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 1 of the other 123 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $10,000 compares with an industry median of $30,000.
By minimum investment, Dealer Specialties belongs with franchises over $500,000.
What should you verify in the Dealer Specialties FDD?
Verify six parts of the Dealer Specialties Franchise Disclosure Document before you sign, because figures change with every annual FDD:
- Item 5 and Item 6: the current franchise fee, royalty, marketing fund and technology fees.
- Item 7: the full investment range by expense line, including working capital.
- Item 19: whether Dealer Specialties discloses financial performance data, and which units it covers.
- Item 20: openings, closures and transfers, plus contacts for current and former franchisees.
- Item 21: the franchisor's audited financial statements.
- Item 12: whether your territory is protected.
The full list of Items is in the FDD guide. You must receive the FDD at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding agreement or pay any money.
Which franchises are similar to Dealer Specialties?
These automotive franchises have the closest minimum investment to Dealer Specialties:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Your Car Buying Advocate | $10,000 | $14,409,100 to $18,544,600 |
| Petro Stopping Centers | $80,000 to $130,000 | $11,395,000 to $52,177,000 |
| Tommy's Express Car Wash | $50,000 | $5,205,184 to $8,522,378 |
| Express Oil Change | $50,000 | $2,564,000 to $3,815,000 |
| Michelin Retread Shop | $2,500 | $2,315,000 to $12,391,000 |
See every brand in automotive franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Dealer Specialties franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Dealer Specialties franchise ranges from $13,677,450 to $18,771,900, including a franchise fee of $10,000, according to franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. The exact amount depends on location, build-out and working capital, as shown in Item 7 of the FDD.
How much cash do you need to open a Dealer Specialties franchise?
Dealer Specialties lists a minimum of about $2,990,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Dealer Specialties locations are there?
Dealer Specialties reported 69 US locations in the data compiled in October 2026. Item 20 of the FDD shows openings, closures and transfers for the last three years.
How long has Dealer Specialties been franchising?
Dealer Specialties started offering franchises in 1995 after the company was founded in 1995.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Dealer Specialties and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Dealer Specialties. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.