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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Matco Tools Franchise

Matco Tools is a premium mobile tool franchise founded in 1946, with a franchise system operating since 1979. Franchisees operate as independent mobile distributors, driving branded trucks directly to automotive technicians and mechanics at their workplaces. The brand is a subsidiary of Vontier Corporation, a global industrial technology company with operations across multiple industrial sectors.

The business model centres on exclusive territory routes, with each franchisee assigned up to 325 potential customers within a defined geographic area. The truck serves as the mobile store, stocking over 13,000 professional-grade products including hand tools, diagnostic equipment, and tool storage solutions. Franchisees also provide in-house product financing and warranty support to their customers, building a repeat-visit service relationship rather than one-off transactions.

Matco Tools operates across all 50 US states, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The brand charges no ongoing royalty or advertising fees, a structure that distinguishes it from most franchise systems. A product development programme called Made by Idea invites mechanic input on new products, supporting catalogue relevance with the professional customer base.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Matco Tools resales available
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Why buy a Matco Tools Franchise?

The Matco Tools model offers a low-overhead ownership arrangement: no commercial lease, no royalty fees, and no advertising fees, with each franchisee keeping a larger share of gross margin than is typical in franchise systems. The assigned territory route provides a ready customer base of professional mechanics, reducing the cold-start customer development that new independent distributors face.

The brand’s long presence in the professional automotive market gives franchisees built-in recognition among mechanics and technicians. National marketing exposure is reinforced through Matco’s NHRA sponsorship, and the Made by Idea programme actively involves mechanics in product development. Matco has ranked in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 consecutively for over two decades, including #66 overall in 2026 and #5 among Top Franchises for Less Than $150,000 the same year.

Matco Tools Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1946

    • Franchising Since

      1979

    • New Startup Cost

      $104,374 – $376,241

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $10,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      50%

      of then-current Initial Franchise Fee

    • Royalty Fee

      Not Disclosed

    • Marketing Fee

      Not Disclosed

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      1741

    • New Units Opened *

      211

    • Units Transferred *

      1

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $516,714

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Matco Tools – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Matco provides 65 hours of mandatory classroom training at the Stow, Ohio headquarters plus 160 hours of on-store field training, totalling 225 hours. Ongoing education includes district sales meetings, business seminars, and Matco University, an online learning platform. Franchisees use the Matco Distributor Business System (MDBS) for sales tracking, inventory, and customer account balances. Over 80 district managers provide field support, and live customer service is available 14 hours a day, five days a week. Resale buyers should confirm what initial training and MDBS access an incoming owner receives when a route transfers.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The ideal Matco Tools franchisee is comfortable in a relationship-led sales role, spending most of their working time visiting mechanics and technicians on an assigned route. No prior automotive or tool industry experience is required, as training covers product knowledge from the ground up. The model suits someone self-directed who can manage the financial side of a mobile operation, including customer account tracking and inventory. Prior sales experience in any field is an advantage. Because the model is typically owner-operated without staff, it suits individuals who prefer hands-on territory work over team management.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Matco Tools has been ranked in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 for over two decades consecutively. In 2026, the brand is ranked #66 overall in the Franchise 500 and #5 among Top Franchises for Less Than $150,000. It ranked #4 among Top Franchises for Veterans in 2025, and #4 among Top Home-Based and Mobile Franchises in 2023. Matco was also named a 2024 Motor Top 20 Award winner. The brand's NHRA sponsorship provides sustained visibility among professional mechanics and motorsports audiences, reinforcing its positioning in the professional automotive tools market.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US light vehicle automotive aftermarket is projected to reach $435 billion in 2025 and is forecast to exceed $500 billion by 2028, according to a joint report by the Auto Care Association, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, and S&P Global Market Intelligence. The average age of vehicles on US roads has risen to around 13 years, sustaining demand for professional maintenance and repair. As vehicles grow more complex, mechanics require a broader range of specialist diagnostic tools and equipment. For resale buyers, route performance depends on the density and stability of repair shops and service businesses within the assigned territory.

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