Carstar Auto Body Repair Experts

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.

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Leawood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. Insurance Claim Processing: Revenue generated through approved insurance company partnerships, where CARSTAR locations are network-approved providers for collision repair claims.
3. Franchise Fees: Revenue from franchise ownership model where franchisees pay fees to operate CARSTAR branded collision repair facilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core 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

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• TeslacoreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026Tesla 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.
• RiviancoreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026Rivian 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)coreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026GM EV repair certification programs are supported across the CARSTAR network as part of the OEM-certified collision repair capabilities.
• FordcoreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026Ford certified collision repair capabilities are part of the CARSTAR network's OEM certification portfolio, supporting Ford EV and traditional vehicle repairs.
• BMWcoreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026BMW is one of the luxury brands supported through the network's 37 luxury OEM certifications, enabling manufacturer-aligned collision repairs for BMW vehicles.
• Mercedes-BenzcoreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026Mercedes-Benz luxury vehicle collision repair is supported through the network's 37 luxury OEM certifications, ensuring manufacturer-certified repairs.
• AudicoreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026Audi certified collision repair capabilities are part of the luxury OEM certification program covering 37 certifications for premium brands.
• VolvocoreTechnology or Integration · 18 February 2026Volvo luxury vehicle collision repair is supported through the network's luxury OEM certification program.
• VinFastflagshipTechnology or Integration · 11 November 2025VinFast, 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 CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 April 2025CARSTAR 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 BrandscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCARSTAR 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

Emerging 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

• Xx.com/carstarautobody
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CARSTAR
• Facebookfacebook.com/carstar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carstar
• Instagraminstagram.com/carstar

Compliance11 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&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