It's great for fast food restaurants, but to pay a franchise fee and royalties in the auto glass business is ridiculous.

It isn't necessarily an issue of "reputable", Leakpro. It is more of a matter of value.

Coughing up a substantial royalty on each and every sale right off the top is often the difference between profit and loss when you are trying to be competitive.

the average net profit margin of a small business is 10.28%. The average franchise fee is 6.8 percent, not including franchise advertising fees. Not much left, about the same as working for some else. Compound that with TPA fees (similar to a fee through price setting) and there is nothing left.

the branding is the only reason to pay for a franchise. Unfortunately there is no glass brand that is recognizable. Oops there is one company that has built their brand and that is Safelite. But, they are not selling franchises (in the US).

Most people would not buy a Safelite franchise. Especially ex-S' people. Or would you?

I think auto glass franchises can work in certain markets that are not very competitive. Its like anything else, not much competition a business can work. You have a few pro's to the system. One being the name (again, if you're not in a very competitive market, it can work). Two, you are usually giving decent to good pricing through PILK and PGW, with no price hikes involved..so they don't pay that 5% when PGW wants to rise it every 6 months it seems. Many con's tho. First off you have to pay a royalty fee every month to that brand, buy all your vehicles, pay for all your advertising, do all of your insurance billing, etc. The names on this list don't do very well here at all. Glass doctor does maybe 8 jobs a week for auto glass related stuff (prices are too high) . Ziebart doesn't do auto glass here. Novus glass mainly does windshield repairs, and maybe does 5 replacements a week. Super glass doesn't do hardly any work. Techna glass isn't here.

I worked for 2 companies in management before i started mine. My margins are between 30 to 35 percent when it's all said and done. The key is to get in good with other suppliers and not be so focused on being from one brand. I buy maybe 1 part a month from PILK.