Brake Masters
Brake Masters is a privately held, Tucson-based automotive repair chain operating 95+ corporate and franchised stores across the southwestern United States, providing brake repair, oil changes, maintenance, and fleet services to individual vehicle owners and commercial fleet operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1983
- HeadquartersTucson, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Brake Masters does
Brake Masters is a privately held, regional automotive repair service chain founded in 1983 and headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. The company operates 95+ corporate and franchised storefronts across five southwestern US states — Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas — with concentrated metro coverage in Tucson, Phoenix, Sacramento, Albuquerque, Las Vegas, and El Paso. Service offerings span the full spectrum of light-duty vehicle maintenance and repair, with brake repair and oil changes as the historical core, complemented by fluid exchanges, wheel alignments, suspension, engine diagnostics, AC repair, batteries, belts and hoses, CV boots and axles, drivetrain and clutch work, factory scheduled maintenance, and accessories. The company extends its offering through a dedicated Commercial Fleet Program with priority bay access and consolidated billing, a customer Loyalty Card program, and multi-lender consumer financing through Synchrony Car Care, EasyPay Finance, and Snap Finance.
The underlying operational model is a brick-and-mortar retail service business with online appointment booking and standard parts procurement relationships (Valvoline, AC Delco, Centric Parts, Dynamic Friction Company). All technicians are ASE certified and the company is BBB accredited, with the "An Honest Brake" service philosophy and lifetime warranty program on brake shoes, disc pads, master cylinders, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, CV boots, axles, and U-joints serving as the principal brand differentiators. Pricing is quote-based and per-job, with regional coupon distribution and financing add-ons to drive traffic and ticket conversion.
Revenue is generated primarily from one-time transactional repair services paid at the point of sale, with secondary transactional revenue from fleet maintenance contracts and a small fee/financing spread from third-party lender integrations. The customer base is dominated by individual vehicle owners across the Southwest, supplemented by commercial fleet operators; no named enterprise fleet accounts are disclosed. The company is founder-owned (Eric Laytin and Shalom Laytin) with Richard Fortuno as CEO, with no disclosed private equity, venture capital, or institutional investment.
Brake Masters firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Brake Masters
- Legal name
- Brake Masters Auto Repair Shops
- Website
- https://brakemasters.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1983
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Brake Masters is a privately held, Tucson-based automotive repair chain operating 95+ corporate and franchised stores across the southwestern United States, providing brake repair, oil changes, maintenance, and fleet services to individual vehicle owners and commercial fleet operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Brake Masters industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Repair and Maintenance Services
- NAICS
- General Automotive Repair (811111), Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance (81111), Automotive Repair and Maintenance (8111)
- SIC
- Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)
- akta.pro primary industry
- General Automotive Repair & Maintenance (TLAKAAAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Brakes, Steering & Suspension Services (TLAKAAAC), Preventive Maintenance & Inspections (Oil, Fluids, Tune-Ups) (TLAKAAAB)
Keywords
Where Brake Masters is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tucson
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices15 records
Markets served
Brake Masters business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Automotive Repair Services: Revenue generated from providing automotive repair and maintenance services including brake repairs, oil changes, fluid exchanges, alignments, and other mechanical services. Services are priced individually per job with options for standard and premium parts.
- Fleet Services: Commercial fleet maintenance contracts providing discounted rates for businesses with vehicle fleets, including convenient billing and annual fiscal reports.
- Financing Services: Partnership with Synchrony Car Care, EasyPay, and Snap Finance to offer payment plans for customers, providing financing options for repairs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard automotive repair services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Brake Masters product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Brake Masters operates 95+ corporate and franchised automotive repair storefronts across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas, performing brake repair, oil changes, fluid exchanges, wheel alignments, AC repair, engine diagnostics, suspension work, battery replacement, belt and hose replacement, CV boot and axle service, drivetrain and clutch repair, factory scheduled maintenance, and lighting/wiper/accessory replacements. ASE-certified technicians deliver these services on a per-job basis, with a commercial fleet program and third-party financing options layered on top of the core consumer repair offering.
Product overview
Brake Masters is an automotive repair service provider offering a comprehensive suite of vehicle maintenance and repair products organized as a single-service platform with multiple specialized modules. The core offering centers on brake repairs and oil changes, complemented by extensive automotive services including fluid exchanges, wheel alignment, suspension, engine diagnostics, and factory scheduled maintenance. Additional value-added services include fleet management programs, customer loyalty cards, and flexible financing options through third-party payment providers. The company operates over 95 corporate and franchised locations across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas, with services designed to address both routine maintenance and complex repairs for passenger and light-duty vehicles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Oil Changes Oil change services offered in full service, high mileage, synthetic blend, and full synthetic variants; full service option includes a 21-point inspection and tire rotation for individual vehicle owners.
- Brake Repairs Comprehensive brake repair services including brake shoe and disc pad replacement with 12-month/12,000-mile or lifetime warranty options, plus ABS system, master cylinder, and power booster service for individual vehicle owners.
- Fluid Exchange Services System fluid flushes covering radiator coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid, and power steering fluid exchanges to maintain vehicle health for individual vehicle owners.
- Wheel Alignment and Front End Service Wheel alignment and front end service including camber, caster, toe, and thrust adjustments to ensure proper vehicle handling and tire wear for individual vehicle owners.
- Auto AC Repairs Air conditioning system diagnosis, repair, and refrigerant services to restore proper cooling performance for individual vehicle owners.
- Batteries and Ignition Service Battery testing, battery replacement, and starter/alternator diagnostic and repair services for individual vehicle owners.
- Belts and Hoses Service Inspection and replacement of serpentine belts, timing belts, and radiator hoses with lifetime warranty on most parts for individual vehicle owners.
- CV Boots and Axle Repair Constant velocity joint boot repair and axle replacement for front-wheel drive vehicles to prevent costly damage from torn boots for individual vehicle owners.
- Drivetrain and Clutch Repair Manual transmission clutch replacement and drivetrain repair services for vehicles experiencing grinding or worn clutch components for individual vehicle owners.
- Engine Checks and Diagnostics Check engine light diagnosis and engine repair services using specialized tools and equipment to accurately diagnose technical issues for individual vehicle owners.
- Factory Scheduled Maintenance Manufacturer-recommended maintenance services to keep vehicles in optimal condition and maintain warranty compliance for individual vehicle owners.
- Suspension Repairs (Shocks and Struts) Shock and strut replacement services to maintain consistent vehicle handling, braking, and smooth ride quality for individual vehicle owners.
- Lights, Wipers, and Accessories Service Headlight, brake light, turn signal, and wiper blade replacement services to improve driving visibility and safety for individual vehicle owners.
- Commercial Fleet Services Program Commercial fleet maintenance program providing multi-vehicle fleet access to corporate locations, discounted fleet rates, priority service bay scheduling, convenient consolidated billing, and year-end fiscal summary reports for business fleet operators.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 95 Corporate and Franchised locations providing widespread service coverage
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Brake Masters
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Brake Masters technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Brake Masters partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ValvolinecoreValvoline is a preferred supplier of motor oil and filters for Brake Masters locations. Products include Valvoline motor oil and filters for use in all vehicle service operations.
- Centric PartscoreCentric brake parts are used for brake repair services at Brake Masters locations, providing quality brake components.
- AC DelcocoreAC Delco provides automotive parts and components for use in Brake Masters repair and maintenance services.
- Synchrony Car CarecoreSynchrony Car Care credit card program allows customers to pay for automotive repairs over time with 6-month no-interest financing on purchases of $199 or more. Accepted at auto parts and service businesses nationwide.
- EasyPay FinanceminorAlternative credit financing option for customers who may not qualify for Synchrony, offering instant approval without pay stubs or bank statements.
- Snap FinanceminorLease-to-own financing option allowing customers to shop now and pay later, targeting customers with various credit situations.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Brake Masters competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Valvoline Instant Oil Change: Public quick-lube pure-play (VIOC) with 2,000+ company-operated and franchised locations. Already a strategic parts partner to Brake Masters (Valvoline Preferred Partner) while also being a direct competitor on oil change and fluid exchange services.
- Pep Boys: Iconic national automotive service and tire chain (owned by Icahn Automotive) offering brakes, oil changes, alignments, and tires. Comparable broad-service positioning and walk-in model targeting the same consumer vehicle owner segment as Brake Masters, but with national brand reach.
- Firestone Complete Auto Care: Bridgestone-owned national automotive service chain with 1,700+ locations. Competes directly with Brake Masters on brakes, alignments, oil changes, and tires, but operates at vastly greater scale with national marketing and OEM-tied supply leverage.
- Monro (now Mavis Tire Express Service Centers): Public multi-brand undercar and tire service platform (Monro, Mr. Tire, Tire Warehouse, Mavis) with 1,300+ stores. Comparable in core undercar/brake/alignment services, broad service menu, and franchise/corporate store mix — though at materially larger scale and national footprint.
Emerging players
- Sun Auto Tire & Service: Rapidly consolidating regional auto service platform in the Southwest and Texas. Highly comparable geographic concentration to Brake Masters, comparable service menu (brakes, alignments, tires), and represents the kind of PE-backed consolidator that could compete for the same fleet and consumer customers.
Regional players
- Jiffy Lube: Largest quick-service oil change network in North America with 2,000+ locations. Overlaps with Brake Masters' oil-change and fluid-exchange services, but Jiffy Lube focuses on higher-volume, lower-ticket preventive maintenance versus Brake Masters' heavier-ticket brake/suspension repairs.
Direct peers
- AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care: National franchise specializing in transmissions and drivetrain repair, with broader service offerings. Directly comparable franchise model, service-set overlap (brakes, drivetrain, clutches), and consumer-demographic targeting as Brake Masters.
- Meineke Car Care Centers: National franchise automotive repair chain with 500+ locations offering brakes, oil, exhaust, and general repairs. Closely comparable franchise model, service menu, customer demographic, and growth-via-franchise unit economics to Brake Masters.
- Christian Brothers Automotive: Faith-based, trust-first automotive repair franchise operating 200+ locations across 30+ states. Directly comparable to Brake Masters in mission-driven positioning, ASE-certified technicians, full-service repair offerings (brakes, oil, alignment, AC), and franchise-driven growth model.
- Grease Monkey: Franchised quick-lube and minor-repair chain with 300+ locations across the US. Comparable franchise model, oil-change core service, and walk-in consumer base; smaller scope than Brake Masters but overlapping customer wallet share.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Brake Masters social profiles
Digital presenceBrake Masters compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Brake Masters financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Brake Masters leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Brake Masters funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Brake Masters M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Brake Masters
What does Brake Masters do?
Brake Masters operates 95+ corporate and franchised automotive repair storefronts across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas, performing brake repair, oil changes, fluid exchanges, wheel alignments, AC repair, engine diagnostics, suspension work, battery replacement, belt and hose replacement, CV boot and axle service, drivetrain and clutch repair, factory scheduled maintenance, and lighting/wiper/accessory replacements. ASE-certified technicians deliver these services on a per-job basis, with a commercial fleet program and third-party financing options layered on top of the core consumer repair offering.
Is Brake Masters a public or private company?
Brake Masters is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Brake Masters founded?
Brake Masters was founded in 1983. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Brake Masters based?
Brake Masters is headquartered in Tucson, United States, in the North America region.
How does Brake Masters make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Automotive Repair Services are the primary driver. The others are fleet Services and financing Services.
Who are Brake Masters's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Pep Boys, Firestone Complete Auto Care and Monro (now Mavis Tire Express Service Centers). Sun Auto Tire & Service is listed as an emerging player. Jiffy Lube is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are AAMCO Transmissions and Total Car Care, Meineke Car Care Centers, Christian Brothers Automotive and Grease Monkey.
Does Brake Masters have an API?
No public API is recorded for Brake Masters.
What industry is Brake Masters in?
Brake Masters's product category is Automotive Repair and Maintenance Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAKAAAA, General Automotive Repair & Maintenance, with a secondary code of TLAKAAAC, Brakes, Steering & Suspension Services. Its NAICS code is 811111 and its SIC code is 7500.