Express Oil Change

Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers began in 1979, when Jim Lunceford founded the company in Birmingham, Alabama. Its headquarters remain at 1880 Southpark Dr. The brand currently reports 13 total units in its franchise configuration, following Golden Gate Capital’s acquisition in February 2018 and its merger with Mavis Discount Tire to create Mavis Tire Express Services Corp., which also includes Brakes Plus. Ricky Brooks is CEO and Jim Durkin is President. The United States automotive maintenance and quick service repair market exceeds $75 billion annually, while quick lube accounts for more than $7 billion and grows approximately 3 to 4 percent each year. Ownership history and the brand’s position within Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. are important considerations before committing capital. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm that provides independent franchise research and introduces buyers to SBA and conventional lenders. PeerSense is not a lender, and it does not approve or provide loans.

The United States aftermarket automotive services category benefits from an average light vehicle age of 12.5 years and approximately 3.2 trillion miles driven each year. Those conditions support recurring needs such as oil changes, tire rotations, brake inspections, and fluid top offs. Synthetic oil can extend service intervals from 3,000 to as many as 10,000 miles for some vehicles, but synthetic oil changes often cost $70 to $120 compared with $35 to $50 for conventional oil changes. Independent and franchise quick lube operators compete for an estimated 900 million oil changes performed in the United States each year, alongside dealerships and thousands of independent businesses. The sector includes a small number of large franchise systems and many independent operators. Deferred new vehicle purchases, more complex ADAS equipped vehicles, and electric and hybrid vehicles with fluid and tire service needs support demand through 2030 and beyond.

The Express Oil Change investment range is $462,020 to $2,300,000. Costs vary with real estate, construction, equipment, and the selected format. The lower end may reflect conversion of an existing automotive facility, while the upper end may involve new construction with service bays, alignment equipment, tire mounting and balancing machinery, and branded interior and exterior improvements. Across the broader quick lube and general automotive repair franchise category, investments commonly start around $250,000 for converted single bay operations and reach $3 million or more for multi bay construction. Express Oil Change operates within Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. after Golden Gate Capital’s February 2018 acquisition and merger with Mavis Discount Tire, alongside Brakes Plus. That structure may provide access to broader supply relationships, operating resources, vendor programs, marketing assets, and automotive service experience. SBA 7(a) and 504 loans are commonly used for automotive facility acquisitions, especially where real estate is a significant asset. Buyers should model equipment financing, leasehold improvements, working capital reserves, pre opening costs, and total capital needs within the $462,020 to $2,300,000 range with qualified financing professionals.

An Express Oil Change location requires a staffed service operation with certified technicians for work such as brakes, tire installation, and diagnostic inspections, supported by lube technicians for routine oil changes. The brand has historically presented itself as a full service maintenance center, with services that include tire sales and installation, brake work, air conditioning, and state inspections where applicable. These services require different equipment and technician qualifications. Formats have traditionally included multi bay drive through and drive in facilities, generally using a freestanding pad or inline strip center with enough vehicle access for multiple simultaneous services. Automotive franchise training of this type typically includes two to four weeks of classroom and hands on instruction covering procedures, customer interactions, point of sale systems, inventory, and safety, followed by opening support. Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. operates across multiple brands and hundreds of company operated locations, providing a larger operating infrastructure than a regional standalone brand. Automotive franchise systems commonly use protected radiuses or defined territories, and multi unit development agreements are available to operators planning several locations.

Due diligence should include Item 20 franchisee conversations, market revenue comparisons, and review of the broader brand structure. Express Oil Change’s full service model may support a higher revenue ceiling than an oil change only operation, with tire sales alone potentially contributing $300,000 to $600,000 annually at a well trafficked location. Buyers should request audited financial statements or tax returns from existing franchisees.

Jim Lunceford founded Express Oil Change in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1979, and the company remained an independent regional chain for more than two decades. Carousel Capital purchased a majority stake in 2005. Thompson Street Capital Partners acquired the brand in 2010, and Carousel Capital reacquired it in 2013. In February 2018, San Francisco based Golden Gate Capital acquired Express Oil Change and merged it with Mavis Discount Tire to form Mavis Tire Express Services Corp., which also includes Brakes Plus. The resulting platform is one of the larger privately held automotive service networks in the United States and operates across hundreds of locations. Franchisees may benefit from purchasing scale, negotiated tire procurement, shared marketing resources, and service expertise across automotive categories. The brand’s 13 reported franchise units show a focused franchise footprint within the newer corporate structure. That may reflect selective development or an early expansion phase. Buyers should assess the franchise within the priorities of the larger portfolio company.

A suitable Express Oil Change candidate needs business management and financial skills, along with an interest in automotive services. Experience in multi unit retail, automotive dealerships, fleet maintenance, or small business ownership can help, although prior automotive experience is not essential. Daily responsibilities include managing technician productivity, parts inventory, and customer throughput. With an investment of $462,020 to $2,300,000, this is not an entry level franchise. Candidates should review personal finances, consult a franchise attorney and accountant, and study local demand, competition, and real estate availability. The brand has concentrated geographic depth rather than national breadth, so some new markets may have limited Express Oil Change presence while still facing established national quick lube competitors. Investors capable of developing two to three locations may benefit from shared management, growing local awareness, and stronger negotiations with real estate partners. Franchise candidates should discuss how the Express Oil Change concept fits within the Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. portfolio.

The investment case combines recurring maintenance demand, an average vehicle age of 12.5 years, Express Oil Change’s operating history since Jim Lunceford’s 1979 founding in Birmingham, Alabama, Golden Gate Capital ownership, and the Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. platform. The investment range is $462,020 to $2,300,000. Independent analysis assigns the brand a Loan Activity Score of 46, rated Fair, which supports careful investigation. PeerSense provides independent research that can include SBA lending history, Loan Activity Score scoring, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparisons with competing automotive service franchises. PeerSense helps buyers evaluate financing options and connect with SBA and conventional lenders, but it does not lend, fund, or approve loans.