Take 5 Oil Change franchise startup costs run $750K–$1.5M for a stay-in-your-car drive-thru quick-lube concept. Take 5's no-appointment, no-exit model — customers stay in the car while technicians work below — drives throughput and customer convenience. 1,000+ locations and expanding.
Take 5 Oil Change is a drive-thru quick-lube franchise that pioneered the stay-in-your-car service model — customers drive into a bay, remain in their vehicle, and technicians perform the oil change from beneath through a below-grade pit system while others service under the hood simultaneously. The no-appointment, stay-in-your-car format minimizes customer wait time and maximizes throughput per bay. Founded in 1984 in Metairie, Louisiana, Take 5 is owned by Driven Brands, the largest automotive services platform in North America. As of 2026, Take 5 operates 1,000+ locations and is one of the fastest-growing segments within the Driven Brands portfolio. The brand targets real estate with strong drive-by traffic and convenient access, operating in purpose-built below-grade-pit facilities that require specific site and construction specifications. The higher investment range ($750K–$1.5M) reflects the specialized facility construction requirements.
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment for a Take 5 Oil Change franchise runs $750,000–$1,500,000. The purpose-built below-grade pit facility is the dominant cost driver:
Take 5 Oil Change charges a 6% royalty on gross sales plus a 1% advertising fund contribution. The relatively low advertising fund percentage is offset by Driven Brands' substantial national marketing infrastructure and the Take 5 brand's own digital and local advertising programs. Take 5's high-throughput model — targeting 10–12 cars per bay per hour at peak — generates strong gross sales relative to single-bay quick-lube concepts, making the royalty structure sustainable at higher absolute dollar amounts once volume ramps.
Take 5 Oil Change requires prospective franchisees to demonstrate a minimum net worth of $1,000,000 and liquid capital of at least $300,000. These thresholds reflect the $750K–$1.5M investment ceiling and the capital depth required to execute a purpose-built construction project through to opening and ramp-up. Take 5 and Driven Brands evaluate candidates on multi-unit development experience, real estate and construction management capability, and financial depth for a capital-intensive facility build.
Take 5 Oil Change is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory, qualifying franchisees for expedited SBA loan processing. Common financing paths:
Take 5 is on the SBA Franchise Directory and Driven Brands' recognized franchisor status means SBA lenders have established approval protocols for this concept. At $750K–$1.5M with purpose-built construction, this is a capital-intensive project — underwriting parallels hotel and restaurant construction more closely than a light-buildout service franchise. Key factors lenders evaluate:
For franchisees purchasing or constructing real property, SBA 504 is typically the better structure — it provides a longer fixed-rate term on the real estate component and keeps the bank first mortgage at competitive commercial rates. For franchisees leasing the site and building out leasehold improvements, SBA 7(a) is the standard path. Clarify your real estate ownership structure before beginning the loan application — the choice of SBA program affects documentation requirements, timelines, and long-term payment structure.
ClearValue Lending works with automotive services franchise operators on SBA 504, construction, equipment, and working capital financing. Apply at Find my match. Your file routes to one matched lender.
Per the current FDD, total estimated initial investment runs $750,000–$1,500,000. The purpose-built below-grade-pit facility construction is the largest cost driver, reflecting the specialized infrastructure required for the stay-in-your-car service model.
Take 5 Oil Change uses a drive-thru pit system where customers remain in their vehicle while technicians work from below through a below-grade pit and simultaneously from above under the hood. The no-appointment, no-exit format minimizes wait time and maximizes bay throughput, targeting 10–12 cars per bay per hour at peak.
Take 5 charges a 6% royalty on gross sales plus a 1% advertising fund contribution. The high-throughput model generates substantial gross sales at peak volume, making the 6% royalty structure sustainable for well-located sites.
Take 5 Oil Change is owned by Driven Brands, the largest automotive services platform in North America, which also operates other well-known automotive service concepts. Driven Brands provides shared marketing, technology, and fleet management infrastructure that benefits Take 5 franchisees.
Yes. Take 5 is on the SBA Franchise Directory. New-construction projects typically use an SBA 504 structure (SBA 504 + bank first mortgage + equity). Franchisees leasing real estate can use SBA 7(a) for leasehold improvements, equipment, and working capital.
SBA guidelines set a minimum DSCR of 1.15×. At $750K–$1.5M with SBA 504, combined monthly debt service (SBA debenture + bank first) runs approximately $6,000–$10,000. Take 5's throughput model can generate $600K–$1.2M+ in annual revenue at mature sites, supporting this ratio — but lenders require conservative projections for the first 24 months anchored to Driven Brands FDD Item 19 comparable site data, not peak-hour assumptions. Source: SBA SOP 50 10 7 (sba.gov).
SBA 504 requires a minimum 10% equity injection from the franchisee. For ground-up construction, lenders and CDC partners often require 15–20% due to construction risk — meaning $112K–$300K in documented borrower funds on a $750K–$1.5M project. Take 5's $300K+ liquid capital requirement is calibrated to this expectation. Source: SBA SOP 50 10 7, Subpart B, Chapter 4.