If you're considering making an investment in one of the auto glass franchises, explore some of the pros and cons of this business and learn about alternatives before making a franchise decision.
The auto glass repair industry is taking off. With approximately 284 million cars on the road and the average age of those vehicles reaching a record high of 12.2 years in 2022, the number of cars needing glass repair is on the rise. Whether a crack is caused by gravel from a degrading pavement or debris from a dump truck, getting it fixed before more damage occurs is necessary. Fueled in part by customers who opted to put off making repairs following the pandemic outbreak, the market size of the glass repair industry reached $5 billion in 2021, according to IBISWorld, an industry research provider.
Pros and Cons of an Auto Glass Franchise
Like all business opportunities, there are pros and cons to any industry. If you are evaluating opening an auto glass business, conducting research and due diligence before you sign on the dotted line is an important step. Here are some of the pros and cons of an auto glass franchise.
PROS:
Auto glass franchises provide a flexible opportunity with multiple revenue streams. In addition to cars, many auto glass players also provide residential and business glass replacement, which increases the odds the business will weather any economic pitfalls. Most auto glass repair franchises are mobile and allow owners to travel to customers to get the job done and conduct back-office administrative tasks from a home office, helping to lower startup costs. Getting an auto glass franchise up and running can require an investment as low as $46,500.
CONS:
Requires Insurance Compensation. To be successful, auto glass franchises need to form partnerships with insurance companies to make automobile repairs. Working with insurance companies has advantages and disadvantages, but in either case, it requires a lot of paperwork. Dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s to get insurance payments can be a hefty load for a new business owner.
Evolving Technology. The technology required to replace automotive window glass is evolving, and it’s not as easy as it used to be. Back in the day, with the right tools and a little elbow grease, a glass technician could replace a car windshield in a hurry. Today, as the number of vehicles equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems continues to grow, auto glass repair technicians need enhanced training to successfully calibrate safety cameras after repairs are completed.
While replacing windshields can be tricky, new technology allows glass repair technicians to insert resin into a small crack to repair it in short order. Unfortunately, repairs are limited because it’s not an option if the damage is in front of a camera or sensor or if it’s too large.
Market Domination. Most of the major players in the auto glass repair industry are owned by a small number of companies. For example, Belron is one of the world’s leading auto glass franchises with at least seven brands, including Safelite AutoGlass and Carglass. Competing with a major player may make it difficult for a franchise owner to gain a foothold in the auto glass industry and require an intensive sales and marketing strategy.
CCI: A Solid Alternative
If the cons of opening an auto glass franchise are starting to outweigh the pros, learn why Creative Colors International offers an alternative franchise in the auto repair industry.
CCI’s franchise owners provide leather and vinyl repair and restoration to residential customers and local businesses in the automobile, aviation, foodservice, and healthcare industries. They have all the tools they need to fix holes, rips, tears, fading, and seam slippage in their mobile vans.
Many of CCI’s franchise owners form partnerships with automobile dealerships to help get their used-car fleet ready for sale. But, they have the tools to make repairs in a variety of industries to provide franchise owners with multiple revenue streams and a recession-resistant opportunity.
For a low initial investment starting at $86,980, which includes a franchise fee of $49,500, CCI offers a scalable leather restoration franchise, designed to save people up to 90% in replacement costs. You can start as an owner-operator and opt to grow as sales ramp up by simply adding additional vans or territories. With a mobile business, our franchise owners can create their own schedules and have unlimited earnings potential.
Download CCI’s Franchise Kit to Learn More
Learn more about a car repair alternative in the leather restoration industry by downloading CCI’s Franchise Kit, or contact one of our franchise business consultants.
