Steer a Course to Financial Independence with an Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists Franchise
Have you ever wondered if an automotive franchise opportunity was right for you?
Over the last several years, the automotive repair industry has enjoyed robust profits even as demand for services remained stable. Automotive repair is one of those industries that’s virtually recession-proof because most people depend on their cars for work, running errands, shopping, and more.
One of the best ways to tap into this potentially lucrative market is by purchasing an alloy wheel refurbishment franchise. By operating one, you’ll steer a course to financial independence while helping automobile owners get their vehicles on the road again.
What are Alloy Wheels?
Once used only on higher-end vehicles, Alloy wheels are now standard on all low, mid, and high-end cars. They’re manufactured from an aluminum or magnesium alloy (alloys are various combinations of metal and other elements).
Although steel, traditionally used in auto wheel production, is an alloy of iron and carbon, the term "alloy wheel" is reserved for wheels that aren’t made from steel or iron.
For the most part, aluminum alloys have replaced steel, helping make cars lighter. Alloys made from aluminum and magnesium offer better heat conduction and look more aesthetically pleasing than steel wheels.
However, alloy wheels are prone to bends, cracks, scratches, and corrosion over the wheel’s lifespan. Alloy wheels are also more expensive. That makes repairing alloy wheels more cost-effective than replacing them.
The first alloy wheels were manufactured from magnesium alloys. They remained trendy through the 60s but were only used for high-end vehicles. A common complaint at the time was that these wheels suffered from low ductility. In other words, they were brittle.
Because early light-alloy wheels were commonly manufactured from magnesium, wheel failures were blamed on magnesium’s low ductility. However, most of these wheels were found to be poorly cast aluminum alloy wheels and not magnesium.
In the late 60s, aluminum casting refinements enabled safer wheels to be made that didn’t fracture as easily. The reconfigured aluminum alloy enjoyed widespread popularity as a low-cost, high-performance material for wheels used in motorsports.
Types of Wheel Damage
Damaged alloy wheels can adversely affect automotive performance and detract from its appearance. Alloy wheel repair specialists can repair and refinish alloy wheels, so they look as good as new.
Backside Bends
This type of damage occurs most often on the inner wheel lip. It could also happen on the spokes or face. It’s usually the result of hitting a pothole, curb, or other road hazard.
Bends are inspected for hidden fractures. A technician measures runout (how much a tire wobbles as it rotates) to determine whether it's safe to straighten. Their patented "New Bee" straightener can return out-of-round wheels to manufacturers' specifications within 45 minutes.
Curb Damage
Curb damage usually happens on the lip of the wheel, the spokes, or the face. The wheel is repaired, primed, painted, and clear coated using proprietary paint adhesion technology. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) approved paint is color-matched to the wheel before repair commences.
Corrosion
Corrosion is caused by roadside chemicals, salt, brake dust, tire sealant, or other external elements. Repairs are the same as the ones for curb damage.
Gouges
Gouges are the result of road debris and other hazards. This repair requires welding and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining at a remanufacturing facility. Deep gouges to rims or spokes might be unsafe to repair and could require wheel replacement.
Cracks
Cracks can occur due to a car accident or hard impact with road debris or other hazards. Repair is the same as with gouges.
A Little About Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists
After a decade and a half working for other automotive businesses, Tony Morris founded Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists in 2000 in Atlanta. Franchising began in 2003.
The enterprise serves more than 7,500 body shops, car dealerships, tire stores, and automotive insurance companies. If a customer needs repairs right away, same-day service is available. Some locations provide mobile wheel repair in case a customer is unable to make it to the shop.
In 2006, the company built its first remanufacturing plant. This strategic move expanded the types of repairs it could perform, including powder coating and fixing air leakage.
Franchise Opportunities
Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists has over 140 franchises operating worldwide. This is the perfect opportunity for automobile enthusiasts, car lover entrepreneurs, or those needing a career change.
Currently, the company has franchises in Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Australia.
The company has many exclusive territories to choose from, and one-third of all franchisees own more than one territory. While absentee ownership isn’t allowed, franchisees can own more than one unit.
As the owner of a wheel repair specialists franchise, you’ll be given the opportunity to partner with the company’s national accounts in your territory, including:
Auto Nation
Discount Tire
Hertz
Avis
Enterprise Car Rental
All State Insurance
Progressive Insurance
You might even be allowed to open a remanufacturing plant so that other Alloy Wheel Repair Specialist Franchisees can offer expanded services.
$66,000 in liquid capital is required, and the minimum investment is $150,000. The initial franchise fee is $25,000 to $76,000, and there’s a 5% royalty fee.
Training and Support
Once you buy an Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists franchise, you’ll attend a three-week training program. Here, you’ll learn everything you need to know to take advantage of the business opportunity.
However, support doesn't end there. Once you get your shop up and running, you'll receive ongoing assistance with social media marketing, operational troubleshooting, and sales.
Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
If you have entrepreneurial ambition in spades, operating a successful franchise business might be a savvy move. That way, you get to be your own boss without having to build a business from scratch.
Franchise companies have developed ways of doing business that work and can be replicated by new owners. Before deciding, you can minimize the risk by checking how successful existing franchisees are by reading the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).
If you can’t wait to enjoy the benefits of franchising, check out our directory for a comprehensive list of franchise opportunities!