Christian Brothers Automotive

Christian Brothers Automotive was founded in August 1982 by Mark Carr and a partner in Mission Bend, Texas, a suburb of Houston. The idea grew from a church event where Carr envisioned a repair business built on Christian principles. He first operated as an offsite owner, then acquired his partner’s stake and became the full time owner and operator. The company began franchising in 1996 and is headquartered in Dallas, TX. As of January 2026, it had more than 330 locations across 30 states. It reported 302 total units in 2025, all owned by franchisees. The brand operates in the general automotive repair sector, a multi billion dollar market supported by essential consumer demand. Christian Brothers Automotive emphasizes transparency, a people first philosophy, customer satisfaction, and community involvement. PeerSense independently reported a Loan Activity Score of 64, rated Moderate, and found that no location had closed because of poor business.

General automotive repair benefits from steady consumer demand and a vehicle fleet that is aging across the United States. Research did not provide a specific total addressable market figure for the entire sector, though the industry is widely recognized as a multi billion dollar segment. Older vehicles require more maintenance and repair. Modern vehicles also have more complex systems, increasing the need for specialized diagnostic equipment and skilled technicians while making do it yourself repairs less practical for many owners. Consumers often seek repair providers they view as trusted and transparent, which aligns with Christian Brothers Automotive’s emphasis on integrity. Vehicle repair is generally essential because owners need dependable transportation, making demand less sensitive to economic fluctuations than demand in many other sectors. The market includes many independent shops, while consolidation creates room for branded franchises that can provide consistent service. During uncertain periods, consumers may keep existing vehicles longer instead of buying new ones, supporting additional repair demand.

The standard initial franchise fee is $135,000. Veterans using the IFA VetFran Program may pay $121,500, and one source lists a minimum franchise fee of $85,000. Reported total initial investment ranges include $550,000 to $680,000, $550,250 to $680,400, an average of $530,000 to $645,000, $530,250 to $645,400, and $520,250 to $640,400 in the 2022 FDD. A separate database lists an initial investment low of $350,000 and a high of $771,120. The automotive repair sector has an average minimum investment of $250,455 and a maximum of $847,467. The 2025 FDD lists equipment, furniture, and software costs of $255,000 to $280,000, a shuttle vehicle cost of $30,000 to $50,000, and a vehicle wrap cost of $1,750 to $3,400. Inventory is estimated at $11,000 to $12,000, with security deposits of $5,000. Insurance and business licenses are estimated at $15,000 to $60,000 or $15,000 to $45,000. First year marketing and advertising costs range from $35,000 to $40,000. New store opening marketing is listed at $20,000 to $30,000 or $15,000 to $20,000. Christian Brothers often invests in construction, so real estate requires monthly payments. Franchisees must have $85,000 in liquid capital and a net worth of $250,000.

A typical Christian Brothers Automotive location is a full service repair shop. The operating approach centers on transparency, integrity, customer satisfaction, community involvement, and a people first philosophy intended to improve the vehicle repair experience. The expected staff would include certified technicians, service advisors, and administrative personnel, although staffing requirements are not itemized. The company’s home office team included more than 50 members as of 2016 and supports franchisees with operational guidance, technology platform management, marketing programs, and supply chain coordination. Specific training duration and location were not provided. The brand operates exclusively in the United States. Territory structures and exclusivity terms were not detailed. Mark Carr’s progression from offsite owner to full time operator suggests that direct owner involvement is favored or expected at the location level.

Christian Brothers Automotive opened 16 locations in 2013 and 12 in 2014. By 2016, it had 150 locations and announced plans to open 35 stores in six new states. The network surpassed 200 locations by 2019. In 2022, it opened 18 shops across nine states and reached a record 52 new signed agreements, an increase of 18 agreements over 2021. The 2022 FDD reported 247 franchised locations across 30 states, including 167 in the Southern U.S. By January 2023, the network had more than 260 locations across those 30 states. The company planned to reach 350 strategically placed locations by the end of 2025. During 2025, it opened 24 shops, including 14 in entirely new markets, and signed 52 letters of intent for future development. Annual growth was 15.10% from 2018 to 2022, twice the rate of its competitors. No location had closed because of poor business. PeerSense’s Loan Activity Score was 64, rated Moderate.

Since franchising began in 1996, Christian Brothers Automotive has expanded throughout the United States. Its 2013 and 2014 openings brought the network to 150 locations by 2016, when plans included 35 stores in six new states, including Greeley, CO, Philadelphia, PA, and Chicago, IL. The brand passed 200 locations in 2019, opened 18 shops in 2022, and signed 52 agreements that year, 18 more than in 2021. It reported 247 franchised locations in 30 states in the 2022 FDD, more than 260 locations by January 2023, and 302 total units in 2025, all owned by franchisees. By January 2026, it had more than 330 locations in 30 states. Development agreements in Las Vegas and Reno are expected to bring the brand to its 32nd state, Nevada. Its competitive position rests on a faith based model focused on transparency, integrity, and people first service. The company has reported no location closures caused by poor business. Donnie Carr has been President and CEO since at least August 2024 and January 2026.

A prospective franchisee should align with the brand’s transparency, integrity, and people first principles and show a commitment to serving the community. The source does not identify prior automotive experience as mandatory, though management experience, ethical business judgment, and customer service ability would be useful. Directly involved ownership appears important to maintaining the brand’s identity. In 2025, the company added 15 new franchisees, while 17 existing markets changed ownership. Christian Brothers Automotive operates only in the United States, with a strong concentration in Texas and a notable presence in Colorado, Missouri, North Carolina, and Georgia. Growth opportunities have been identified in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. Targeted markets include Phoenix, Arizona; Greeley, Colorado; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Overland Park, Kansas; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Richmond, Virginia; and Raleigh, North Carolina. New shops opened in 2025 in Odessa, Texas; Clarksville, Tennessee; Marietta, Georgia; Hayden, Idaho; and Otsego, Minnesota. Las Vegas and Reno development agreements are expected to introduce the brand to Nevada.

Christian Brothers Automotive combines a faith based operating model with growth across the automotive repair sector and a reported record of no locations closing because of poor business. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm, not a lender. It provides franchise research that includes SBA lending history, Loan Activity Scores, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools.