Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts
CARSTAR is a U.S. franchise network of 300+ OEM-certified collision repair shops across 37+ states, serving individual vehicle owners, insurance carriers, and EV/luxury vehicle owners as a subsidiary of Driven Brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersLeawood, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts does
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts is a U.S. and Canadian franchise network of collision repair shops founded in 1989 and headquartered in Leawood, Kansas. Operating as CARSTAR Franchising, Inc., a subsidiary of the Driven Brands automotive services conglomerate, the network spans 37+ U.S. states with hundreds of independently owned franchise locations providing auto body collision repair, paint, and related restoration services to individual vehicle owners and insurance carriers.
The company's core technical capability is OEM-certified collision repair, with the network holding over 300 manufacturer certifications — 37 for luxury brands (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo) and 288 for EV brands (Tesla, Rivian, GM, Ford, and recently VinFast). These certifications enable manufacturer-aligned repairs that preserve warranties, maintain resale value, and support advanced safety system recalibration. Supporting offerings include a website-based location finder, customer-facing financing options, and CARSTAR Academy — a training initiative launched in 2025 with Centennial College to develop collision repair technicians.
Revenue is generated through three primary streams: franchise/licensing fees from independently owned operators, insurance-claim transaction revenue from approved-carrier status, and direct collision repair services. Customer acquisition is driven primarily by insurance-carrier referrals, OEM-certified repair positioning, and a direct phone/website channel (800-CARSTAR). The franchise model distributes capital risk across operators while centralizing brand, certifications, and corporate infrastructure under Driven Brands.
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts
- Legal name
- CARSTAR Franchising, Inc.
- Website
- https://carstar.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- CARSTAR is a U.S. franchise network of 300+ OEM-certified collision repair shops across 37+ states, serving individual vehicle owners, insurance carriers, and EV/luxury vehicle owners as a subsidiary of Driven Brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leawood
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Collision Repair Services: One-time transaction-based collision repair services billed to customers directly or through insurance claims. Services include auto body repair, paint, and related collision work.
- Insurance Claim Processing: Revenue generated through approved insurance company partnerships, where CARSTAR locations are network-approved providers for collision repair claims.
- Franchise Fees: Revenue from franchise ownership model where franchisees pay fees to operate CARSTAR branded collision repair facilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based pricing determined by damage assessment |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CARSTAR operates a franchise network providing collision repair and auto body services through independently owned locations across the United States. Its core offering is OEM-certified collision repair — including specialized programs for electric vehicles and luxury vehicles — with manufacturer-aligned repair procedures, advanced safety system recalibrations, paint, and related bodywork. Services are delivered through a unified national brand backed by insurance company approved-provider relationships and customer financing options.
Product overview
CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts operates as a collision repair network under the Driven Brands portfolio, offering OEM-certified collision repair services through hundreds of independently-owned locations across the United States. The core offering is collision repair services with manufacturer certifications from multiple OEMs including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo, Tesla, Rivian, GM, Ford, and VinFast. The network provides a unified customer experience through the CARSTAR brand while individual locations may operate under specific names (e.g., CARSTAR Allstar Collision, CARSTAR MacArthur Collision). Supporting offerings include CARSTAR Academy for technician training in partnership with Centennial College, and financing options for customers. The company is part of Driven Brands alongside sister brands Meineke, Maaco, Take5, ABRA, and Radiator.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CARSTAR Academy: Training initiative designed to develop future professionals in the collision repair industry
Products and services
- Collision Repair Services Core collision repair service offering auto body work, paint, and related vehicle restoration delivered through a nationwide franchise network of certified shops for individual vehicle owners and insurance-covered claims.
- OEM-Certified Collision Repair Manufacturer-certified collision repair service ensuring vehicles are repaired to OEM specifications, with specialized programs for luxury brands (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volvo) and electric vehicles (Tesla, Rivian, GM, Ford, VinFast). Targeted at owners requiring warranty-preserving, manufacturer-aligned repairs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 288 EV certifications across the network enabling certified repairs for Tesla, Rivian, GM, Ford, and other EV brands
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- TeslacoreTesla is one of the EV manufacturers whose certified repair programs are supported across the CARSTAR network. The network holds 288 EV certifications covering programs from Tesla and other major EV manufacturers.
- RiviancoreRivian EV certification programs are supported across the CARSTAR collision repair network as part of the 288 EV certifications held by the company.
- General Motors (GM)coreGM EV repair certification programs are supported across the CARSTAR network as part of the OEM-certified collision repair capabilities.
- FordcoreFord certified collision repair capabilities are part of the CARSTAR network's OEM certification portfolio, supporting Ford EV and traditional vehicle repairs.
- BMWcoreBMW is one of the luxury brands supported through the network's 37 luxury OEM certifications, enabling manufacturer-aligned collision repairs for BMW vehicles.
- Mercedes-BenzcoreMercedes-Benz luxury vehicle collision repair is supported through the network's 37 luxury OEM certifications, ensuring manufacturer-certified repairs.
- AudicoreAudi certified collision repair capabilities are part of the luxury OEM certification program covering 37 certifications for premium brands.
- VolvocoreVolvo luxury vehicle collision repair is supported through the network's luxury OEM certification program.
- VinFastflagshipVinFast, a Vietnamese EV manufacturer, certified CARSTAR Ma's Auto Body Burlingame and CARSTAR Ma's Auto Body San Mateo as the first two CARSTAR locations in the U.S. to earn VinFast certification for electric vehicle collision repair. VinFast currently offers VF8 and VF9 SUVs in the U.S. with plans to launch VF7 and VF6 models.
- Centennial CollegecoreCARSTAR Academy is a training initiative designed to develop future professionals in the collision repair industry through a partnership with Centennial College. The academy aims to address workforce development needs in the collision repair sector.
- Driven BrandscoreCARSTAR is a member of the Driven Brands family of automotive service companies, which also includes Meineke, Maaco, Take5 Oil Change, Abra Auto Body & Glass, and Radiator. Driven Brands provides corporate infrastructure, brand support, and operational resources to the franchise network.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Safelite Group: Largest U.S. auto glass repair and replacement provider, owned by Belron. While primarily glass-focused, Safelite competes for insurance DRP volume and customer mindshare in the broader vehicle repair category overlapping with CARSTAR's collision and glass-adjacent services.
Direct peers
- Service King Collision: National collision repair MSO with insurance DRP focus and OEM-certified capabilities. Directly comparable to CARSTAR across target customer (insurance-driven vehicle owners), core service offering, and geographic footprint.
- Crash Champions: Fast-growing PE-backed MSO in U.S. collision repair. Directly competes with CARSTAR on insurance carrier relationships, OEM certifications, and geographic coverage, with overlapping customer segments (vehicle owners and insurance claims).
- Maaco: Driven Brands franchise focused on auto paint and collision repair. Directly comparable as a franchised auto body repair brand under the same parent; overlaps significantly with CARSTAR in service line and customer type.
- Caliber Collision: The largest U.S. multi-shop operator (MSO) of collision repair facilities. Directly comparable to CARSTAR in core service offering (auto body collision repair), insurance DRP relationships, and OEM certification programs; differs mainly in scale and corporate-owned vs. franchise model.
- ABRA Auto Body & Glass: A sibling brand under Driven Brands operating collision repair and glass services. Shares corporate parent, OEM certification strategy, and customer overlap with CARSTAR; competes in the same repair categories.
- Gerber Collision & Glass: Major North American MSO offering collision repair and glass services. Directly competes with CARSTAR on insurance DRP volume, OEM certifications, and broad geographic coverage in the U.S. and Canada.
- Fix Auto USA: International collision repair franchise network with U.S. operations, also part of Driven Brands' collision group (alongside CARSTAR and ABRA). Comparable franchise model and insurance/OEM partnership strategy.
- Joe Hudson's Collision Center: Growing U.S. collision repair MSO. Directly comparable in core service (auto body collision repair), insurance claim processing, and customer segment, with an emphasis on customer experience and operational scale.
Broad incumbents
- Boyd Group: Public Canadian operator of collision repair glass facilities (operates CARSTAR Canada competitor Assured Performance and other banners). Comparable to CARSTAR in business model and service category, with broader geographic scope across North America.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts social profiles
Digital presenceCarstar Auto Body Repair Experts compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance11 records
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts 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 Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts
What does Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts do?
CARSTAR operates a franchise network providing collision repair and auto body services through independently owned locations across the United States. Its core offering is OEM-certified collision repair — including specialized programs for electric vehicles and luxury vehicles — with manufacturer-aligned repair procedures, advanced safety system recalibrations, paint, and related bodywork. Services are delivered through a unified national brand backed by insurance company approved-provider relationships and customer financing options.
Is Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts a public or private company?
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts founded?
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts was founded in 1989. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts based?
Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts is headquartered in Leawood, United States, in the North America region.
How does Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Collision Repair Services are the primary driver. The others are insurance Claim Processing and franchise Fees.
Who are Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts's main competitors?
Safelite Group is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Service King Collision, Crash Champions, Maaco, Caliber Collision, ABRA Auto Body & Glass, Gerber Collision & Glass, Fix Auto USA and Joe Hudson's Collision Center. Boyd Group is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts.