Merlin franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Merlin franchise fee is $30,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $264,745 to $534,395, with about $65,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Merlin FDD.
What are the Merlin franchise fees and investment?
The Merlin franchise requires a franchise fee of $30,000 and a total initial investment of $264,745 to $534,395. 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) | $30,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $264,745 to $534,395 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $65,000 |
| US locations | 24 |
| Industry | Automotive (Repair & Maintenance) |
| Headquarters | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Franchising since | 2015 |
How does the Merlin investment compare with other automotive franchises?
Merlin's minimum investment of $264,745 is above the median minimum investment of $235,400 across the 124 automotive franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 51 of the other 123 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $30,000 compares with an industry median of $30,000.
By minimum investment, Merlin belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Merlin FDD?
Verify six parts of the Merlin 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 Merlin 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 Merlin?
These automotive franchises have the closest minimum investment to Merlin:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Abra | $35,000 | $263,640 to $4,569,050 |
| Mr. Transmission / Milex | $45,000 | $267,300 to $340,800 |
| Pacific Pride | $15,000 | $267,559 to $1,248,045 |
| WheelMaxx | $35,000 | $268,700 to $596,500 |
| Power Trucks Usa | $75,000 | $258,775 to $498,207 |
See every brand in automotive franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Merlin franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Merlin franchise ranges from $264,745 to $534,395, including a franchise fee of $30,000, 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 Merlin franchise?
Merlin lists a minimum of about $65,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Merlin locations are there?
Merlin reported 24 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 Merlin been franchising?
Merlin started offering franchises in 2015 after the company was founded in 2015.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Merlin and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Merlin. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.