Grease Monkey Franchise Review 2026: Costs, Fees, News, Average Revenues and/or Profits

Grease Monkey operates in the quick lube and oil change space, a category with reliable demand – cars need oil changes regardless of economic conditions, which gives the business a recession-resistant quality that few franchise categories can claim. The 2026 FDD shows two consecutive years of declining average net sales, down 4.6% in 2024 and another 4.3% in 2025 – though the sample grew from 131 centers in 2023 to 147 in 2024 to 174 in 2025, meaning relatively newer locations entering the sample each year likely account for much of that decline rather than softness among established centers. The investment range of $708,057 to $2,284,321 is one of the widest I’ve reviewed in any category, driven almost entirely by real estate and construction costs, which means site selection isn’t just a revenue question here – it’s the decision that determines how long it takes to get your money back.

Ambrosio’s Take is a new feature on all Franchise Chatter FDD Talk posts based on the 2026 FDD.

In this exclusive Franchise Chatter FDD Talk post, you’ll learn the following:

Section I – Estimated initial investment (franchise costs) for a Grease Monkey franchise, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2026 FDD

Section II – Initial franchise fee, royalty fee, and marketing fee for a Grease Monkey franchise, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2026 FDD

Section III – Number of franchised and company-owned Grease Monkey outlets at the start of the year and the end of the year for 2023, 2024, and 2025, based on Item 20 of the company’s 2026 FDD

Section IV – News updates on the Grease Monkey franchise opportunity

Section V – Presentation and analysis of Grease Monkey’s financial performance representations (average revenues and/or profits), based on Item 19 of the company’s 2026 FDD, including information on the:

• 2025 average, median, highest, and lowest daily vehicle count and ticket range for the 174 franchisee-owned Grease Monkey centers that operated for the entire calendar year 2025 and provided complete profit and loss statements to the franchisor, grouped by net sales ranges

• 2025 average net sales, cost of goods sold, gross profit, salaries, wages and benefits, retail operating expenses, office and G&A expenses, and EBITDAR for the 174 franchisee-owned Grease Monkey centers that operated for the entire calendar year 2025 and provided complete profit and loss statements to the franchisor, grouped by net sales ranges

• 2025 average net sales, cost of goods sold, and gross profit, by quartile, for the 174 franchisee-owned Grease Monkey centers that operated for the entire calendar year 2024 and provided complete profit and loss statements to the franchisor

Section VI – Key ratios, comparables, computations, and analyses for the Grease Monkey franchise opportunity (exclusive content for Platinum subscribers)

Section I – Grease Monkey Franchise Costs

• Grease Monkey franchise costs, based on Item 7 of the company’s 2026 FDD:

• Initial Franchise Fee:  $39,900
• Real Estate:  $24,000 to $125,000
• Building Work:  $350,000 to $1,200,000
• General Site Work:  $75,000 to $450,000
• Due Diligence, Permits, Design, and Plans:  $25,000 to $80,000
• FF&E Package & Installation:  $87,250 to $200,100
• Grand Opening Costs:  $10,000
• Initial Inventory:  $25,000 to $35,000
• Signs:  $20,000 to $40,000
• Supplies:  $3,000 to $5,000
• Initial Training – Travel & Lodging Expenses:  $3,300 to $6,000
• Computer Hardware and Software:  $7,500 to $10,000
• Point of Sale Maintenance Fee:  $1,107 to $3,321
• Prepaid Expenses:  $2,000 to $5,000
• Additional Funds (3 months):  $35,000 to $75,000
• Total Estimated Grease Monkey Franchise Costs:  $708,057 to $2,284,321

Section II – Grease Monkey’s Initial Franchise Fee, Royalty Fee, and Marketing Fee

• Grease Monkey’s initial franchise fee, royalty fee, and marketing fee, based on Items 5 and 6 of the company’s 2026 FDD:

• Initial Franchise Fee:  $39,900
• Royalty:  6.0% of Gross Revenues
• Advertising Contribution:  0.5% of Gross Revenues
• Local Advertising Commitment:  4.0% of Gross Revenues
• Local and Regional Advertising Cooperatives:  established by cooperative members

Section III – Number of Franchised and Company-Owned Grease Monkey Outlets

Franchised

2023

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  187
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  201
• Net Change:  +14

2024

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  201
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  209
• Net Change:  +8

2025

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  209
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  233
• Net Change:  +24

Company-Owned

2023

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  151
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  151
• Net Change:  0

2024

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  151
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  163
• Net Change:  +12

2025

• Outlets at the Start of the Year:  163
• Outlets at the End of the Year:  175
• Net Change:  +12

Section IV – News Updates on the Grease Monkey Franchise

• Grease Monkey Accelerates Toward Goal of Doubling in Size Within Three Years

• Grease Monkey Accelerates Development With Dallas-Fort Worth Expansion

• Oilex Grease Monkey Honored as 2025 Franchisee of the Year

• Grease Monkey and SpeeDee Oil Change & Auto Service Earn Spots on Franchise Times Top 400 List

• Grease Monkey Did Not Rank on Entrepreneur’s 2026 Franchise 500 List

Section V – Financial Performance Representations (Average Revenues and/or Profits) for the Grease Monkey Franchise (Item 19, 2026 FDD)

• The charts include a historic financial performance representation for the calendar year 2025 from franchisee-owned Centers located in the United States that, in each case, were in operation for more than one year as of December 31, 2025, operated the entire calendar year 2025, and who provided complete Profit and Loss Statements to Grease Monkey (“Subset”). Only those Centers that fall within the Subset are included in the Part 1 and Part 2 charts.

• The charts include a historic financial performance representation from 174 franchisee-owned Centers. The total number of franchisee-owned Centers located in the United States as of December 31, 2025 was 233. Centers that are not shown in the charts include Centers that commenced operations during calendar year 2025 or otherwise did not operate for the entire calendar year 2025, Centers that were involved in transfers during calendar year 2025 and thus the current owners did not operate for the entire calendar year 2025, and Centers for which complete Profit and Loss Statements were not provided to Grease Monkey. Five franchisee-owned Centers closed during the year 2025, none of which was open for less than 12 months.

• The charts do not show any financial information from any of Grease Monkey’s affiliate-owned outlets. The affiliate-owned Centers are those Centers owned and operated by Grease Monkey’s affiliate, GMI.

Part 1 – Operational Results Based on Franchisee-Owned Grease Monkey Centers – Annual Sales Ranges for Fiscal Year 2025

• The Centers included in Part 1 were classified into five separate categories based on Net Sales during calendar year 2025 with Category A being Centers with annual Net Sales of up to $600,000, Category B being Centers with annual Net Sales between $600,001 and $800,000; Category C being Centers with annual Net Sales between $800,001 and $1,000,000; Category D being Centers with annual Net Sales between $1,000,001 and $1,200,000; and Category E being Centers with annual Net Sales in excess of $1,200,000.

• The statistical and financial averages and median ranges shown in Part 1 were then compiled within each category for each chart.

Category A:  $600,000 or Less in Sales

• Number of Centers:  32
• Daily Vehicle Count Range:  6 – 19
• Ticket Range:  $74.94 – $201.86
• Average Daily Vehicle Count:  12
• Average Ticket:  $115.49
• Median Daily Vehicle Count:  12
• Median Ticket:  $117.30

• Average Net Sales:  $438,063 (100%)
• Average Cost of Goods Sold:  $108,561 (24.8%)
• Average Gross Profit:  $329,502 (75.2%)
• Average Salaries, Wages, and Benefits:  $175,680 (40.1%)
• Average Retail Operating Expenses:  $123,764 (28.3%)
• Average Office and G&A Expenses:  $13,365 (3.1%)
• Average EBITDAR:  $16,692 (3.8%)

• Net Sales Range:  $264,269 – $571,659
• Median Net Sales:  $430,167
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Net Sales:  15 / 46.9%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Gross Profits:  18 / 56.3%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average EBITDAR:  18 / 56.3%

Category B:  $600,001 to $800,000 in Sales

• Number of Centers:  24
• Daily Vehicle Count Range:  10 – 38
• Ticket Range:  $63.11 – $213.98
• Average Daily Vehicle Count:  22
• Average Ticket:  $114.42
• Median Daily Vehicle Count:  19
• Median Ticket:  $124.72

• Average Net Sales:  $709,978 (100%)
• Average Cost of Goods Sold:  $175,740 (24.8%)
• Average Gross Profit:  $534,238 (75.2%)
• Average Salaries, Wages, and Benefits:  $227,353 (32.0%)
• Average Retail Operating Expenses:  $115,335 (21.9%)
• Average Office and G&A Expenses:  $17,238 (2.4%)
• Average EBITDAR:  $134,312 (18.9%)

• Net Sales Range:  $603,465 – $796,800
• Median Net Sales:  $726,155
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Net Sales:  13 / 54.2%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Gross Profits:  12 / 50.0%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average EBITDAR:  12 / 50.0%

Category C:  $800,001 to $1,000,000 in Sales

• Number of Centers:  34
• Daily Vehicle Count Range:  13 – 45
• Ticket Range:  $70.90 – $203.33
• Average Daily Vehicle Count:  25
• Average Ticket:  $120.25
• Median Daily Vehicle Count:  21
• Median Ticket:  $127.67

• Average Net Sales:  $900,152 (100%)
• Average Cost of Goods Sold:  $229,071 (25.4%)
• Average Gross Profit:  $671,081 (74.6%)
• Average Salaries, Wages, and Benefits:  $283,901 (31.5%)
• Average Retail Operating Expenses:  $198,869 (22.1%)
• Average Office and G&A Expenses:  $21,960 (2.4%)
• Average EBITDAR:  $166,351 (18.5%)

• Net Sales Range:  $806,052 – $997,121
• Median Net Sales:  $904,322
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Net Sales:  18 / 52.9%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Gross Profits:  15 / 44.1%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average EBITDAR:  15 / 44.1%

Category D:  $1,000,001 to $1,200,000 in Sales

• Number of Centers:  30
• Daily Vehicle Count Range:  16 – 36
• Ticket Range:  $89.81 – $197.57
• Average Daily Vehicle Count:  25
• Average Ticket:  $135.18
• Median Daily Vehicle Count:  24
• Median Ticket:  $137.65

• Average Net Sales:  $1,092,349 (100%)
• Average Cost of Goods Sold:  $261,612 (23.9%)
• Average Gross Profit:  $830,737 (76.1%)
• Average Salaries, Wages, and Benefits:  $343,212 (31.4%)
• Average Retail Operating Expenses:  $259,074 (23.7%)
• Average Office and G&A Expenses:  $18,643 (1.7%)
• Average EBITDAR:  $209,808 (19.2%)

• Net Sales Range:  $1,007,234 – $1,194,692
• Median Net Sales:  $1,098,029
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Net Sales:  17 / 56.7%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Gross Profits:  15 / 50.0%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average EBITDAR:  14 / 46.7%

Category E:  Greater Than $1,200,000 in Sales

• Number of Centers:  54
• Daily Vehicle Count Range:  22 – 81
• Ticket Range:  $71.29 – $360.34
• Average Daily Vehicle Count:  38
• Average Ticket:  $139.09
• Median Daily Vehicle Count:  35
• Median Ticket:  $134.56

• Average Net Sales:  $1,693,209 (100%)
• Average Cost of Goods Sold:  $408,870 (24.1%)
• Average Gross Profit:  $1,284,339 (75.9%)
• Average Salaries, Wages, and Benefits:  $510,520 (30.2%)
• Average Retail Operating Expenses:  $336,971 (19.9%)
• Average Office and G&A Expenses:  $38,149 (2.3%)
• Average EBITDAR:  $398,698 (23.5%)

• Net Sales Range:  $1,201,770 – $3,334,527
• Median Net Sales:  $1,583,566
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Net Sales:  20 / 37.0%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average Gross Profits:  22 / 40.7%
• Number and Percentage of Centers Exceeding Average EBITDAR:  24 / 44.4%

Part 2 – Operational Results Based on Quartiles of Average Sales – Franchisee-Owned Grease Monkey Centers (174 Centers)

• The Centers in Part 2 are the same Centers shown in Part 1, but classified into quartiles based on Net Sales. There are 43 Centers shown in the Top Quartile, 44 Centers shown in the Third Quartile, 43 Centers shown in the Second Quartile, and 44 Centers in the Bottom Quartile.

Top Quartile of Sales Revenue Averages (43 Centers)

• Average Net Sales:  $1,807,546 (100.0%)
• Average Cost of Goods Sold:  $436,890 (24.2%)
• Average Gross Profit:  $1,370,656 (75.8%)

Third Quartile of Sales Revenue Averages (44 Centers)

• Average Net Sales:  $1,123,938 (100.0%)
• Average Cost of Goods Sold:  $271,978 (24.2%)
• Average Gross Profit:  $851,960 (75.8%)

Second Quartile of Sales Revenue Averages (43 Centers)

• Average Net Sales:  $854,410 (100.0%)
• Average Cost of Goods Sold:  $213,914 (25.0%)
• Average Gross Profit:  $640,496 (75.0%)

Bottom Quartile of Sales Revenue Averages (44 Centers)

• Average Net Sales:  $498,841 (100.0%)
• Average Cost of Goods Sold:  $123,997 (24.9%)
• Average Gross Profit:  $374,843 (75.1%)

• Net Sales mean the aggregate amount received from all sales of services, products, or merchandise of every kind or nature, performed or sold from, at, or in connection with the operation of the Center or arising out of the operation or conduct of the Center, whether for cash or credit, but excluding (i) the amount of the discount given off the regular retail price of such services or products in connection with the use of coupons or other discount promotions; and (ii) federal, state, or municipal sales or services taxes collected from customers and paid to the appropriate taxing authority.

• Cost of Goods Sold includes only inventory items (oil, filters, greases, fluids, etc.). Franchisee-owned Centers are able to purchase products at national account prices available to you and may purchase in sufficient quantities (approximately one month’s supply) to earn volume discounts.

• Gross Profit is Net Sales minus Cost of Goods Sold.

• Salaries, Wages, and Benefits includes the salaries, wages (including overtime), benefits, payroll taxes, worker’s compensation, training, and payroll processing fees for all employees, including managers.

• Retail Operating Expenses include the following items: advertising, sales promotions, Advertising Contributions, Royalty Fees, customer satisfaction, customer warranties, mystery shopper program, equipment rental, equipment maintenance and repair, computer maintenance and support, laundry and uniforms, building maintenance and repairs, security service, operating supplies, small tools, over and short cash drawer, utilities including water, gas and sewer, trash disposal, bank charges, late charges, merchant card fees, and other miscellaneous operating expenses.

• Office and G&A Expenses include the following items: office supplies and expenses, bad debt expense, charitable contributions, licenses and fees, postage and freight, property taxes, telephone, accounting, legal and professional fees, beverage service, dues and subscriptions, general insurance, and other miscellaneous overhead expenses.

• EBITDAR means Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, Amortization, Occupancy Costs, and Non-Operating Income/Expense. This figure is not an actual amount earned.

• Your occupancy costs will vary based on the location of your Center, whether you secure a build-to-suit lease, purchase the property and construct a building, or select another rental or ownership arrangement, as well as other factors relating to your occupancy.

• Your interest expense will depend on your borrowing requirements.

• Non-Operating Income/Expenses include: travel and entertainment expenses, interest income, owners’ compensation, draws and life insurance expenses, overhead expense allocations by multi-unit operators, and other non-operating income/expense items.

• The compiled statistical and financial information in Part 1 and Part 2 (collectively referred to as the “Statement”) are based on the Profit and Loss Statements provided to Grease Monkey by the franchisee-owned Centers and have not been audited or reviewed by an independent certified public accountant.

• The Statement does not include any estimate of the federal income tax that would be payable or the state or local income tax that may be applicable to the particular jurisdiction in which a Center is located. In addition, the Statement does not include any information or estimate regarding the occupancy expenses which will be incurred at a particular location.

• Some outlets have sold this amount. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance you will sell as much.

Section VI – Grease Monkey Franchise Ratios, Comparables, Computations, and Analyses (Exclusive Content for Platinum Subscribers) ⬇️

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