Maaco vs Jiffy Lube: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Automotive Real Data Not Investment Advice
M

Maaco

Automotive
$300K – $500K
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VS
JL

Jiffy Lube

Automotive
$256K – $490K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
Jiffy Lube wins on investment range ($10K less) vs Maaco.
Fee Burden
Jiffy Lube wins on royalty rate (4.0% lower) vs Maaco.
Unit Count
Jiffy Lube wins on total units (1,570 more) vs Maaco.
Satisfaction
Jiffy Lube wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Maaco.

Investment & Fees

Metric Maaco Jiffy Lube
Min Investment $300K $256K
Max Investment $500K $490K
Franchise Fee $40K $35K
Royalty Rate 8.0% 4.0%
Ad Fund Rate 4.0% 6.0%

Unit Economics

Metric Maaco Jiffy Lube
Avg Unit Revenue $700K $700K
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Maaco Jiffy Lube
Total Units 430 2,000
Annual Growth -1.0% 0.5%
Failure Rate 5.0% 3.0%

Franchisee Performance

Metric Maaco Jiffy Lube
Franchisee Satisfaction 63/100 69/100

Track Record

Metric Maaco Jiffy Lube
Years in Business 52 45
Years Franchising 50 42

Financial Requirements

Metric Maaco Jiffy Lube
Min Net Worth Required $500K $500K
Liquid Capital Required $150K $150K

Operations

Metric Maaco Jiffy Lube
Avg Employees 10 10
Training Weeks 4 4

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Maaco or Jiffy Lube a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Maaco has 430 total units and a 63/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Jiffy Lube has 2,000 total units and a 69/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Maaco franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Maaco franchise requires an initial investment of $300K – $500K. The franchise fee is $40K, with ongoing royalties of 8.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a Jiffy Lube franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Jiffy Lube franchise requires an initial investment of $256K – $490K. The franchise fee is $35K, with ongoing royalties of 4.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Maaco vs Jiffy Lube?

Maaco's royalty rate is 8.0%. Jiffy Lube's royalty rate is 4.0%. That means Jiffy Lube has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Maaco or Jiffy Lube?

Maaco has 430 total units. Jiffy Lube has 2,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Maaco or Jiffy Lube semi-absentee friendly?

Maaco is typically run as a owner-operator model. Jiffy Lube is typically run as a semi-absentee model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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