Ziebart franchise: cost, fees and total investment
Short answer: The Ziebart franchise fee is $45,000 and the total initial investment ranges from $450,100 to $924,000, with about $115,000 in liquid cash required, based on franchise disclosure data compiled in October 2026. Confirm current figures in Items 5 and 7 of the Ziebart FDD.
What are the Ziebart franchise fees and investment?
The Ziebart franchise requires a franchise fee of $45,000 and a total initial investment of $450,100 to $924,000. 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) | $45,000 |
|---|---|
| Total initial investment (FDD Item 7) | $450,100 to $924,000 |
| Minimum liquid cash | $115,000 |
| US locations | 96 |
| Industry | Automotive (Repair & Maintenance) |
| Headquarters | Troy, Michigan |
| Founded | 1959 |
| Franchising since | 1962 |
How does the Ziebart investment compare with other automotive franchises?
Ziebart's minimum investment of $450,100 is above the median minimum investment of $235,400 across the 124 automotive franchises in the SelectFranchiseList database. 29 of the other 123 brands in this industry start at a higher investment. Its franchise fee starting at $45,000 compares with an industry median of $30,000.
By minimum investment, Ziebart belongs with franchises from $250,000 to $500,000.
What should you verify in the Ziebart FDD?
Verify six parts of the Ziebart 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 Ziebart 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 Ziebart?
These automotive franchises have the closest minimum investment to Ziebart:
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment |
|---|---|---|
| Paclease | $4,000 | $454,250 to $904,250 |
| Oilstop | $30,000 | $470,175 to $647,425 |
| Goldsainte | $45,000 | $474,000 to $2,789,500 |
| Nautical Boat Club | $60,000 | $503,700 to $902,250 |
| Big O Tires | $10,000 to $17,500 | $511,500 to $1,882,500 |
See every brand in automotive franchises.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Ziebart franchise cost?
The total initial investment for a Ziebart franchise ranges from $450,100 to $924,000, including a franchise fee of $45,000, 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 Ziebart franchise?
Ziebart lists a minimum of about $115,000 in liquid cash. Lenders usually finance part of the remaining investment, and the franchisor confirms its capital requirements during qualification.
How many Ziebart locations are there?
Ziebart reported 96 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 Ziebart been franchising?
Ziebart started offering franchises in 1962 after the company was founded in 1959.
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public franchise listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Ziebart and its trademarks belong to their owner; SelectFranchiseList is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ziebart. This page is not an offer to sell a franchise. Only the franchisor's current FDD is authoritative.