Quick Verdict · who it fits
Dealer Specialties International, Inc. fits owner-operators looking for an emerging automotive concept.
The numbers a buyer needs first — straight from the filing.
Initial investment (Item 7)
$17K - $45K
Franchise fee (Item 5)
$10K
System size (Item 20)
21
Years in business
31+ yrs
Company-owned units
48
Item 3 litigation
3 suits
Buyer qualifications
•No exclusive territory✓No bankruptcy disclosed•3 Item 3 cases
Data extracted from the 2025 FDD filed with state regulators. Fees and terms may have changed since filing — request the current FDD from the franchisor before deciding. Not legal, financial, or investment advice. Full disclaimer.
Free AI summary — the first read on the filing.
69
Total units open
0
Units opened last year
6
Units closed last year
-6
Net unit growth
What our analysis flagged across the 2025 filing.
5
Risks to review
3
Strengths identified
4
Questions to ask
How Dealer Specialties International ranks against 59 Automotive peers we've analyzed.
Initial investment
3rd pct · of 59 peers
Franchise fee
14th pct · of 59 peers
System size
28th pct · of 59 peers
Automotive industry averages
Avg investment
$276K - $1.2M
Avg franchise fee
$34K
Avg system size
193
Franchises analyzed
59
Closest concepts by category and investment.
| Brand | Item 19 | Fee | Investment | Royalty | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dealer Specialties International | Disclosed | $10K | $17K - $45K | — | 21 |
| Ideal Automotive DealerSimilar price | None | $45K | $3K - $24K | — | 3 |
| Jiffy LubeBiggest system | None | $18K | — | 4% | 2,083 |
| Systemforward AmericaTop-rated in category | Disclosed | $50K | $118K - $191K | 7% | 309 |
Free explainers to go deeper before you sign.
Brand Analysis
Mavis Tire's 2021 acquisition of Big O Tires placed the brand under a corporate parent with 2,000+ owned retail tire stores. The franchisor incentives, expansion strategy, and operating support have all shifted. Here's what 2026 franchisees need to read into the structure.
Brand Analysis
Byrider franchise costs run $947,000 to $1,577,500 per the 2026 FDD, and most of that money never touches the building. It funds the loans you make to your own customers. Here's the full breakdown, including real Item 19 earnings by quartile.
Brand Analysis
Big O Tires has 477 units, 1% royalty, and a 50% ad fund structure that gets misread by every buyer. The Mavis Tire acquisition changes the franchisee thesis. The 2026 verdict depends on whether you trust PE-owned franchisor incentives.
Dealer Specialties International, Inc. requires a $10,000 initial franchise fee and a total initial investment range of $17,400–$44,900, per the most recent FDD on file.
Yes. Dealer Specialties International, Inc. discloses Item 19 financial performance representations in its FDD. See the financials sub-page for the disclosed figures.
As of their 2025 FDD, Dealer Specialties International, Inc. has 21 total locations. This information comes from Item 20 of the FDD.
No. Dealer Specialties International, Inc. does not grant exclusive territory rights under Item 12. The franchisor retains the right to operate or grant additional units inside or adjacent to your trade area.
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