King Bear Auto Service
The total investment to open a King Bear Auto Service franchise ranges from $20,000 to $356,240. The initial franchise fee is $20,000. Ongoing royalties are 5%.
What is the King Bear Auto Service franchise?
The King Bear Auto Service franchise operates in the general automotive repair sector, a service category supported by ongoing consumer demand. The brand is headquartered in DEER PARK, NY and currently has 18 total units. Of those locations, 14 operate under the franchise model, representing a 77.8% franchised ratio. King Bear Auto Service has zero company owned units, so its current structure is centered on franchise operations. The United States general automotive repair market is valued at more than $150 billion annually, with some projections reaching $200 billion by the mid 2020s. Demand is supported by the growing number of vehicles in service, an average vehicle age of more than 12 years, and the increasing technical complexity of modern automobiles. King Bear Auto Service serves as a general repair provider, with services that can range from routine maintenance to more complex diagnostics. That broad offering allows a location to serve customers seeking local vehicle maintenance and repair.
Automotive repair and maintenance is a major part of the American economy, with a total addressable market that consistently exceeds $150 billion each year. The sector is projected to grow at a rate of 2 to 3% year over year. Vehicle age is a central demand driver because cars now average more than 12 years in service, creating a need for more frequent and more involved repairs. New vehicle prices also encourage owners to keep existing vehicles longer and spend more on preventive maintenance and timely repairs. Modern engine management systems and driver assistance features add technical requirements that many vehicle owners cannot handle themselves. These conditions support recurring demand for repair work, while the essential nature of vehicle service can provide some resistance during economic downturns. The market includes independent repair shops, dealership service centers, and national chains, leaving room for a local brand to compete through consistent service and community relationships. Investors may also find recurring revenue potential in repeat visits for scheduled maintenance and predictable wear related repairs.
The initial King Bear Auto Service franchise fee is $20,000. The fee is below the $25,000 to $50,000 range often cited for comparable general automotive repair franchise opportunities. It gives the franchisee the right to operate under the King Bear Auto Service name and access the brand’s proprietary systems, initial training, and support structure. The total initial investment ranges from $20,000 to $356,240. That wide range may reflect different facility formats, real estate conditions, and equipment needs. A lower cost entry could involve converting an existing automotive repair facility or opening a more limited operation with modest leasehold improvements. The upper end could include a new facility, extensive leasehold improvements, a full equipment package, initial inventory, signage, and working capital for several months of early operations. The $356,240 figure represents an estimate for a fully equipped modern King Bear Auto Service center. Buyers should determine which format fits their market, facility, and available capital before committing to the investment. Because specific ongoing fee disclosures are not provided in the source information, the initial investment remains the primary cost figure for evaluating the launch and capitalization of the business.
A King Bear Auto Service location is built around general automotive repair and maintenance for everyday vehicle owners. Operating tasks can include managing service bays, scheduling appointments, performing diagnostics, completing oil changes and tire rotations, handling engine work and brake services, and maintaining customer records. Customer communication is a central operating requirement, including clear estimates, transparent updates, and timely delivery. A typical location may include a service manager who oversees operations and customer interactions, several certified automotive technicians, and customer service representatives who handle front of house and administrative work. Staffing depends on facility size and service volume, but a core team of 3 to 5 people is often a starting point. The investment range also suggests possible formats that run from smaller specialized repair bays to larger multi bay service centers. Initial training generally covers operating procedures, customer service, marketing strategies, and proprietary software systems. Ongoing support would generally include updated operating manuals, periodic training refreshers, marketing guidance, vendor relationships for parts and equipment, and technical assistance. New territories are usually evaluated through demographic information, vehicle density, and traffic patterns, with the goal of supporting demand and limiting competition between locations in the same system. Specific multi unit requirements are not detailed, but the franchise focused structure may allow successful operators to add additional King Bear Auto Service locations.
Industry benchmarks can provide context, but they should not be treated as forecasts for a particular King Bear Auto Service location. Important performance drivers include customer retention, technician utilization, inventory management, and local marketing. Aging vehicles and increasing vehicle complexity continue to support demand for repair services. A buyer evaluating this opportunity should build financial projections using conservative industry assumptions and speak with existing King Bear Auto Service franchisees about operating conditions, expenses, customer volume, and possible revenue sources, while staying within legal and ethical limits.
King Bear Auto Service currently has 18 total units, including 14 franchised locations. This indicates a concentrated system that is primarily built around franchisee operated growth. The available unit count suggests an early to mid stage franchising program focused on measured expansion rather than broad deployment across many markets. Specific net new unit figures are not provided, so buyers should review the current unit base and available market information when assessing growth. The headquarters in DEER PARK, NY gives the brand a starting point in that region, while future development may extend into other markets. King Bear Auto Service can compete through local recognition, personal service, and customer relationships developed within individual communities. In a fragmented repair market, consistent service may help a branded location stand apart from independent shops, while a local approach may distinguish it from larger national chains. Technology also offers ways to improve the customer experience and operating process. Online booking, digital vehicle inspection reports, customer relationship management platforms, and targeted digital marketing can support convenience, communication, customer engagement, and market reach. Using these tools may help the brand respond to consumer expectations for transparency and easier service scheduling.
A suitable King Bear Auto Service franchisee may bring business judgment, a customer focused approach, and a commitment to daily operating standards. Direct automotive experience can help, but it is not always required because training and support are typically available. Candidates should be prepared to lead a team of technicians, manage customer relationships, and take an active role in local marketing and community involvement. With 18 units in the system, the model may appeal to dedicated single unit owners who want to establish a strong presence in one local market. Operators with experience and additional capital may also pursue more than one location and apply their systems across multiple territories. Given the current unit count, prime territories may remain available in different regions, subject to market demographics and vehicle density. The period from signing the franchise agreement to opening can range from six to twelve months. Real estate acquisition, permits, facility construction or conversion, and equipment installation can affect that schedule. The specific franchise agreement term is not provided. Standard agreements in this industry typically run from 10 to 15 years and may include renewal options, creating a longer operating period for business development and asset building.
King Bear Auto Service operates in a large automotive repair market supported by recurring vehicle maintenance needs, an aging fleet, and rising vehicle complexity. The initial investment ranges from $20,000 to $356,240, and the franchise fee is $20,000. King Bear Auto Service has 14 franchised units and zero company owned locations within its 18 unit system. That structure places the franchisee at the center of the brand’s expansion model. The opportunity may suit an owner seeking a local automotive service business, provided the buyer confirms territory availability, facility requirements, staffing needs, ongoing fees, and projected cash requirements during due diligence.
Loan Activity Score
16/100
SBA Default Rate
18.2%
Active Lenders
7
According to its Franchise Disclosure Document or public business records, King Bear Auto Service has 14 locations, all owned by franchisees. Public SBA loan records show 7 lenders made 33 loans to franchisees of King Bear Auto Service. PeerSense calculates King Bear Auto Service's score as 16 out of 100, using public SBA loan performance and recent lending activity.
Franchising since 1971 · 14 locations
$20,000 to $356,240
$20,000
14
14 franchised
Proprietary PeerSense metric
LimitedDistinct lenders in public SBA records for King Bear Auto Service
33
Total SBA loans
$161K
Average loan size
Source: public SBA 7(a) and 504 loan records through December 31, 2025
Referral fee at closing
SBA Lending Activity for King Bear Auto Service
Loan Activity Score Breakdown
Established (25 to 99 loans)
Are lenders increasingly or decreasingly funding this brand? Growing trends score highest.
Blended default rate (recent + all time) compared to NAICS sector peers.
Quality lenders actively backing this brand, with penalty for lender pullback.
FDD availability, Item 19 disclosure, and overall data completeness.
Geographic spread of SBA funded locations across states.
SBA Lending Performance
SBA Default Rate
18.2%
vs 10.8% peer avg
SBA Loans
33
Total Volume
$5.3M
Active Lenders
7
States
1
vs. SBA Sector Average
SBA loan default rate vs. all franchises in the same NAICS sector, not limited to direct competitors
Key Highlights
Franchise Financing Resources
Data Insights
Key performance metrics for King Bear Auto Service based on SBA lending data
SBA Default Rate
18.2%
7.4% above peer avg
SBA Loan Volume
33 loans
Across 7 lenders
Lender Diversity
7 lenders
Avg 4.7 loans per lender
Investment Tier
Mid range investment
$20,000 to $356,240 total
King Bear Auto Service: Deep SBA Data
Brand specific metrics derived directly from SBA 7(a) approval records: peak lending year, leading state, average loan size, and lender concentration. PeerSense computes these per brand so capital advisors and prospective franchisees can benchmark this opportunity against the rest of the franchise universe.
Peak SBA Year
2001
8 approvals. The best year on record for King Bear Auto Service.
Top SBA State
New York
34 SBA financed King Bear Auto Service locations, the densest operator footprint.
Average Loan Size
$183K
Median $880K. Use as a sizing anchor when modeling your own King Bear Auto Service unit.
Lender Concentration
82.3%
Concentrated
Share of King Bear Auto Service approvals captured by the top 3 SBA lenders.
King Bear Auto Service's SBA lending pipeline peaked in 2001 (8 approvals). Operator density is highest in New York with 34 SBA financed locations. Average funded ticket sits at $183K, with the median at $880K. Lender mix is concentrated: the top three SBA lenders account for 82.3% of approvals. Credit decisions concentrate with a small group of incumbents.
Payment Estimator
Estimated Monthly Payment
$207
Principal & Interest only
Indicative only, as of October 1, 2026. Not a quote, commitment or offer of credit. Final pricing, leverage and terms are determined by the lender at underwriting, after full transaction materials are reviewed. PeerSense sources the file. The lender sets pricing. What these terms mean.
Locations
King Bear Auto Service, unit breakdown
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Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman