You Could Own a LUGNUTZ Franchise
We’re expanding to other locations and are building a team of exceptionally motivated business owners to join us on the journey to making LUGNUTZ the trusted choice of automotive DIYers across Canada.
Let's start the discussion
Our Story
We opened our first location in Calgary in 2021 to address the unmet need in the marketplace for a clean, modern, fully equipped working space for owners to work on their vehicles. Our business model is simple: offer customers access to a custom-built shop designed to meet the specific needs of automotive DIYers, provide a wide range of top-tier equipment and tools that are all included in the low hourly cost, and provide a frictionless and rewarding customer experience. At the same time, provide space to licensed technicians or other automotive service professionals to run their own operations out of the LUGNUTZ shop, leveraging the DIY customer base and contributing to the “community” character of the business.
Thousands of jobs later, we have built a large roster of loyal customers, and an enthusiastic online following that extends beyond our home town. Our customers tell us they love the wide selection of tools, the cleanliness of the shop, and the helpful and cheery attitude of LUGNUTZ staff.
We also regularly hear the same question from DIYers in other cities who follow us on social media: “When are you opening a LUGNUTZ in my location?” Opening shops in other cities requires connecting with potential Franchisees who share our business values, and are prepared to enthusiastically embrace and follow the proven processes we have developed in our Calgary showcase location.
Our Brand Values
Our Brand Values are more than words: we live by them every day, and expect our franchisees to uphold them in every engagement with customers, and all interactions with staff, contractors and suppliers.
LUGNUTZ core corporate values are:
- Honesty
- Providing value for customers
- Providing a safe working environment for customers and employees
- Ensuring the facility is always clean and inviting to work in or visit
In addition to our corporate values, we adhere to two principles in every customer engagement.
We are vehicle and brand agnostic
We recognize and respect that vehicle owners often have an affinity to a particular automotive marque or model. Owners of all vehicles – whether old or new, well maintained or in need of significant repairs – are welcome and valued as customers.
We accommodate all skill levels
Our customers’ experience ranges from current or retired technicians to neophyte DIYers venturing out of their comfort zone to do their first fluid change.
Who you are
We have a pretty good idea what experience and personal attributes a successful Franchisee will have, but we're open to looking at candidates with different profiles. A Franchisee doesn’t need to have direct automotive service experience, but a high degree of comfort around all things mechanical and a problem-solving mindset are required.
- Retired Tech
- Experience in the service/maintenance world; doesn’t want to turn wrenches anymore
- Young Tech
- Alternate path to spending their career in the dealership trenches with no long-term financial upside
- Enthusiast
- Knows cars/trucks and wants to elevate their passion into an automotive business
- Gear Savvy
- Has non-vehicle technical aptitude/experience that transfers to the automotive world
What it takes to get started
| Initial Franchise fee | $40,000 |
| Royalties | 4% to 8% |
| Advertising pool | 3% |
| Estimated build-out costs | $250,000 to $375,000 |
| Working capital | $75,000 to $125,000 |
| Unencumbered Equity | 50%+ of the total project |
Interested in digging deeper?
To ensure that our goals and objectives are aligned, we're interested in getting to know potential franchisees on both personal and business fronts. There will be a lot of questions asked and answered as we jointly venture down the road to opening the door to your LUGNUTZ shop, starting with this online form (which should take only a few minutes to complete).
Get Started
Franchise Location Opportunities
While any Canadian city with a population of more than 50,000 could support a LUGNUTZ Franchise, our current focus is opening locations in Western Canada. Our primary target locations are shown on the map, but we are open to discussing potential Franchise operations in other cities; if you have a location in mind, give us a call. NOTE: Our showcase Calgary shop is potentially available as a turn-key Franchise. Contact george@lugnutz.ca directly for additional information.
- Calgary North/Airdrie
- Red Deer
- Edmonton
- Ft. McMurray
- Lethbridge
- Kelowna
- Kamloops
- Saskatoon
- Regina
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do I receive as a LUGNUTZ Franchisee
- We’re with you every step of the way, from scouting locations for the shop, helping negotiate a lease, working with contractors to design and build out your space, sourcing tools and installing lifts. As a Franchise owner, you will have access to all the LUGNUTZ trademarks and marketing materials, preferred relationships with our parts and services suppliers, and use of our custom-developed business processes and applications. We’ll provide the Website and booking tools tailored to your location, and handle all Google AdWord buys and placements, as well as other online brand development and marketing programs. You’ll also receive our detailed, confidential operations manual to help you run your LUGNUTZ Franchise safely and efficiently on a day-to-day basis. Whatever questions you have or help you need, we’re just a phone call or an email/text away.
- What experience do I need to own a LUGNUTZ Franchise
- While prior automotive service experience isn’t a requirement, hands-on familiarity with the mechanical and electrical/electronic systems in vehicles is a big asset. As a Franchisee you won’t be working on vehicles, but customers will often ask you for guidance when they run into problems, or have questions about how to use a tool or best approach a job. The most important attributes for a Franchisee are having a problem-solving mindset and solid customer service skills. A Franchisee will also need to be comfortable using online applications, as our scheduling app, membership management tools, POS system, and all tire & parts ordering systems are Web-based.
- How much will I need to invest to own a LUGNUTZ Franchise?
- The total startup costs to open a LUGNUTZ Franchise will vary depending on the location and the size of the shop, and whether the market focus is skewed more towards cars or trucks. Estimated costs to build out a shop to LUGNUTZ specifications (including all tools and lifts) will typically range between $250,000 and $375,000, with additional required working capital reserves between $75,000 and $100,000. In most cases, total committed capital to open a LUGNUTZ Franchise will range between $325,000 and $475,000.
- What fees are payable to the Franchisor?
- The initial Franchise fee is $40,000. Ongoing fees include royalties on services (bay rental, tire mounting) of 8% of gross revenue, and 4% on parts & tires. Franchisees also contribute 3% of gross revenue to a pooled advertising fund that will used to promote the LUGNUTZ brand as well as drive customers to individual Franchise locations.
- Is financing available?
- LUGNUTZ does not provide financing to Franchisees, but we can make introductions to financial institutions who are familiar with our Franchise model and can help expedite applications.
- How do I get started?
- The first step is getting to know each other. Please take a few minutes to complete this form, and we’ll get back to you.
Get in touch
Looking for more general information, or want to take a tour of our Calgary shop? Contact george@lugnutz.ca