The Deep Dive: Why Automotive Is Having a Moment (Again)
The Deep Dive is where we take a closer look at one sector, category, or operating model that’s quietly gaining momentum inside franchising, pulled directly from our monthly insider newsletter, Franchise Unfiltered. Each edition goes beyond surface-level trend talk to examine why a particular space is attracting attention, capital, and growth before it becomes obvious to everyone else.
When people talk about the origins of franchising, the conversation almost always starts in the same place: restaurants and hospitality. And to be fair, that’s not wrong. Those categories still dominate the Top 100 largest franchise brands today, and it’s not just because they got a head start. People need to eat, and people need a place to stay. That demand isn’t going anywhere.
But there’s another industry that’s been quietly building alongside them for decades, and it doesn’t get nearly the same recognition.
The Industry That’s Been Here All Along
If you go back far enough, automotive services have just as much claim to franchising’s foundation as food or hotels.
The real acceleration happened in the 1950s, when President Dwight D. Eisenhower pushed forward the interstate highway system. More roads meant more cars. More cars meant more wear and tear. And that created an entirely new category of opportunity for entrepreneurs.
From there, a wave of brands emerged with a simple value proposition: keep people on the road.
That’s how we ended up with household names like AAMCO, Big O Tires, Jiffy Lube, Maaco, Meineke, and Midas.
These weren’t just businesses, they were infrastructure for everyday life.
Why Automotive Never Slowed Down
Fast forward to today, and the core premise hasn’t really changed. If anything, it’s become even more relevant.
Consumers are holding onto their cars longer than ever. Whether it’s due to rising vehicle costs, supply chain constraints, or just smarter financial decisions, the result is the same: more demand for maintenance, repair, and upkeep.
That’s kept traditional automotive service brands strong,but it’s also opened the door for something new.
The Rise of ‘Appearance’ in Automotive
There’s a newer segment within automotive that’s starting to pick up serious momentum: aesthetics and appearance.
Car washes, detailing, tinting, protective coatings…anything that helps a vehicle not just run well, but look good while doing it. It’s all part of a broader shift toward what’s often called the “automotive aftermarket.”
And right now, it’s one of the fastest-growing areas in franchising that still feels under the radar.
Take Tommy’s Express Car Wash as an example. It’s a family-owned franchisor putting up some of the most impressive unit economics in the space. Yes, the upfront investment can be significant, but the margins and payback periods are turning heads across the industry.
Opening 50+ units in a single year at that investment level isn’t something you see often in franchising. And while private equity continues to roll up independent car washes across the country, Tommy’s has managed to stand out as a franchisor in a space that’s quickly consolidating.
The Aftermarket Opportunity
Beyond car washes, the broader aftermarket category is where things get even more interesting.
This includes everything from detailing and rust protection to window tinting and vehicle customization. It’s a wide spectrum, but the underlying trend is consistent: if people are keeping their cars longer, they’re more willing to invest in how those cars look and feel over time.
Brands like LINE-X, Tint World, and Ziebart are leaning into this shift in a big way.
They’re not just maintaining vehicles, they’re enhancing them. And that’s a different kind of value proposition than traditional repair and maintenance.
Where This Is All Going
As franchising continues to professionalize, we’re seeing a pattern: older, “legacy” industries aren’t going away, they’re evolving.
Automotive is a perfect example of that. What started as a necessity-driven category is now expanding into lifestyle, personalization, and recurring revenue models that look very different from the original playbook.
And the brands that recognize that shift early are the ones building real momentum right now.
Next month, we’ll shift gears into another category that’s going through its own transformation: B2B services.
But for now, if you’ve made it this far, there’s really only one logical next step: go watch Pimp My Ride and see just how far automotive “appearance” has come 😎
Want More Insights?
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