Glass Doctor Franchise Costs, Fees & Owner Salary (2023)

INVESTMENT

$153,000

-

$317,000

LOCATIONS

138

Adam

Updated

May 2, 2024

Is

Glass Doctor

a franchise?

Yes,
Glass Doctor
currently
accepts
franchise
applications

Glass Doctor is a leading chain of full-service glass franchises, recognized in the glass repair and replacement industry. It is a member of the Neighborly brand with its headquarters located in Waco, Texas.

The chain was founded in 1962 and is renowned for providing top-notch glass repair, maintenance, and replacement services. These encompass a wide spectrum, encompassing auto glass care, comprehensive windshield replacement, effective windshield ding repair, proficient window tinting, meticulous landscaping and cleaning, and headlight restoration.

Today, Glass Doctor extends its expertise to serve diverse markets, including the automotive, commercial, and residential sectors.

Having embarked on its franchising journey back in 1977, this privately held entity opens doors to two distinct franchising opportunities: one focused on auto glass and the other catering to the home and business domains.

As of 2022, Glass Doctor boasts a presence of nearly 190 units across the United States and Canada, with 176 of them proudly operated as franchise-owned establishments.

How many

Glass Doctor

franchises

are there?

In 2022, there were
138
outlets in
the United
States, of which
138
are franchises, and
0
are corporate-owned.

What are the

Glass Doctor

franchise

fees?

Royalty fee

4% to 7%

Advertising fee

2% to 5%

Initial Franchise Fee ($59,900)

The initial franchise fee for a Glass Doctor franchise is $59,900. This fee compensates Glass Doctor for its selling, administrative, and training expenses. The fee may vary based on the population of the territory, with an additional charge of $200 per 1,000 population over the minimum.

Royalty Fee (4% to 7% of Gross Sales)

The royalty fee for Glass Doctor franchisees varies based on weekly gross sales. For example:

  • For weekly gross sales of $0 - $4,999 under the Auto Option, the royalty fee is 7%.
  • For weekly gross sales of $5,000 - $9,999 under the Auto Option, the royalty fee is 6%.
  • For weekly gross sales of $10,000 - $19,999 under the Auto Option, the royalty fee is 5%.
  • For weekly gross sales of $20,000+ under the Auto Option, the royalty fee is 4%.

Similarly, there are varying percentages for the Home and Business Option based on different gross sales brackets.

Advertising Fee (5% to 7% of Gross Sales)Franchisees are required to pay a MAP Fund fee (the “MAP Fees”) equal to 2% of Gross Sales. In addition to the MAP Fee, franchisees are obligated to spend an amount annually on approved local marketing and advertising of their Business, known as the "Minimum Local Marketing Spending".

This amount is equal to the greater of $20,000 or 5% of the previous year’s annual Gross Sales of the Business. This local spending is in addition to the MAP fees and, when combined, can amount to up to 7% of Gross Sales in total advertising fees.

Note: The fees presented here can be found in the Item 5 of the Franchise Disclosure Document. For a complete list of all the fees borne by the franchisee, please consult the Franchise Disclosure Document.

How much does

it cost

to start a

Glass Doctor

franchise?

It costs between
$153,000
and
$317,000
to start a
Glass Doctor
franchise.

For individuals considering a franchise opportunity with Glass Doctor, there are two primary options to explore: the Auto Option and the Home and Business Option. The estimated initial investment for the Auto Option ranges between $164,400 and $317,100, while the Home and Business Option has an estimated initial investment ranging from $161,900 - $302,100.

Auto Option

Expenditure Type Cost Range Paid To
Initial Franchise Fee $59,900 Franchisor
Vehicle $2,000 - $50,000 3rd parties
Equipment, Supplies & Inventory and Auto Business Start-Up Package $27,500 - $65,000 3rd parties or Franchisor and ZorWare
Insurance $3,000 - $6,000 3rd parties or Franchisor
Advertising & Promotional and Local Marketing Spending for Marketing Startup Phase $24,000 3rd parties
Training, Travel, Lodging & Food $2,500 - $5,000 3rd parties
Deposits, Permits & Licenses $2,000 - $5,000 3rd parties
Professional Fees $300 - $5,000 3rd parties
Additional Funds - 3 Mo. $35,000 - $75,000 3rd parties and Franchisor
Real Estate $4,000 - $15,000 3rd parties
Call Center Setup Fee $4,200 - $7,200 3rd parties
Total Estimated Initial Investment $164,400 - $317,100

Home and Business Option

Expenditure Type Cost Range Paid To
Initial Franchise Fee $59,900 Franchisor
Vehicle $2,000 - $50,000 3rd parties
Equipment, Supplies & Inventory and H&B Business Start-Up Package $35,700 - $100,000 3rd parties or Franchisor and ZorWare
Insurance $3,000 - $6,000 3rd parties or Franchisor
Advertising & Promotional and Local Marketing Spending for Marketing Startup Phase $24,000 3rd parties
Training, Travel, Lodging & Food $2,500 - $5,000 3rd parties
Deposits, Permits & Licenses $2,000 - $5,000 3rd parties
Professional Fees $300 - $5,000 3rd parties
Additional Funds - 3 Mo. $35,000 - $75,000 3rd parties and Franchisor
Real Estate $4,000 - $15,000 3rd parties
Call Center Setup Fee $4,200 - $7,200 3rd parties
Total Estimated Initial Investment $161,900 - $302,100

Note: The table above provides a snapshot of the main costs associated with starting the most common franchise format (as disclosed in the Item 7 of the Franchise Disclosure Document). For a complete overview of all the expenses involved with the various formats offered by the franchisor, please consult the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Does

Glass Doctor

provide

training

to its

franchisees?

Yes,
Glass Doctor
provides
training

If you're contemplating joining the Glass Doctor franchise, here's a snapshot of the training and related expenses you can anticipate.

Training Insights:

  • Initial Training: Glass Doctor provides an Initial Training Program for franchisees or their principal owners. This program is a blend of classroom sessions and hands-on training. The classroom sessions typically last for 38 hours, while the hands-on training extends for about 8-40 hours. The content and duration of the training can be tailored based on the attendee's experience and expertise.
  • Training Content: The Initial Training Program is comprehensive, covering a myriad of topics to ensure franchisees are equipped to manage their centers. Subjects range from General Center Operations, Vendor Training, Sales Techniques, Lubricants and Fluids, Certification Programs, Fleet Accounts Sales and Processing, to Key Performance Indicators and Management Skills.

Financial Aspects of Training:

  • While the company does not charge for the training of up to two people, franchisees are responsible for other costs incurred during the training, such as meals and personal expenses.

Does

Glass Doctor

provides

territory

protection?

Franchisees of Glass Doctor do not receive an exclusive territory. The agreement specifies that the rights granted to the franchisee are limited to a designated territory, which is generally based on population.

The territory will typically have a population of up to 300,000, but it may not exceed 400,000, although exceptions can be made in certain circumstances, such as densely populated urban areas or areas with a high percentage of impoverished residents.

Franchisees maintain rights to their territory even if the population within it increases.  However, Glass Doctor may advertise, solicit, and enter into key accounts, which are national, regional, or other accounts that benefit the system.

Can a

Glass Doctor

franchise

be run as

a passive

investment?

If you're considering a franchise opportunity with Glass Doctor, it's essential to understand the operational expectations. If you are an individual, you must directly perform or supervise the operation of the Business unless Glass Doctor consents otherwise.

However, if you're a corporation or another legal entity, you can appoint a manager to directly supervise the Business. This manager doesn't need to have an ownership interest in the Business. Additionally, if you obtain financing from Glass Doctor, they have the right to require a spouse's personal guarantee.

Related Posts