Honest-1 Auto Care

What Honest-1 Auto Care does

Honest-1 Auto Care is a US franchise network of locally-owned vehicle repair and maintenance shops, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, and operating under the legal entity H-1 Auto Care, LLC. The company was founded in 2003 (with one FAQ source referencing 2005 as the first-shop date) and has scaled to over 60 franchise locations across at least 17 states, including AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MN, NJ, NC, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, and WA. It serves individual vehicle owners (primary segment) and franchisee entrepreneurs (secondary segment) across both foreign and domestic makes, including specialty capability for BMW and MINI at certain locations.

The core service catalog spans A/C and heating, alignment, battery, brake, cooling system and radiator, diagnostics, engine repair, exhaust and muffler, oil change, tire and wheel, transmission, vehicle electrical, suspension/shock/strut, and general maintenance and repair work. Differentiation is concentrated in three branded features: Roadworthy Inspection (a digital vehicle assessment with photographs delivered to the customer's phone), Roadworthy Warranty (a 36-month / 36,000-mile parts-and-labor warranty honored at 58,000+ US service centers and administered by Sonsio Administrative Services), and Eco-Friendly Auto Care. Adjacent amenities include a 365 Roadside Assistance program attached to purchases over $25, free shuttle service, after-hours drop-off, and Roadworthy University for franchisee and technician training.

The business model is a dual-revenue franchisor-plus-services platform. The franchisor collects a $75,000 initial franchise fee, a 6% ongoing royalty on gross sales, and a 2% national advertising fee from franchisees, with total startup costs per unit ranging from $255,750 to $1,242,250 and a recommended franchisee net worth of $700,000+. Franchisees and their service locations generate the bulk of end-customer revenue through per-service transactions, parts sales (via national auto parts suppliers and Honest1-branded products), and warranty-driven repeat visits. Customer financing is facilitated through Synchrony Financial's Car Care credit card (0% promotional financing for qualifying purchases), AAA member discounts feed demand from a large external membership base, and SBA pre-approval lowers the financing barrier for prospective franchisees. Marketing relies on a digital-first presence — the company website with location-specific coupons, online scheduling, Google reviews prominently surfaced on location pages, and community-based word-of-mouth — with no disclosed mobile app, API, or developer-facing platform.

Name

Honest-1 Auto Care

Legal name

H-1 Auto Care, LLC

Website

https://honest1.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Honest-1 Auto Care is a US franchise network of 60+ locally-owned auto repair and maintenance shops operating across 17+ states, serving individual vehicle owners with full-service repairs, digital inspections, and a 36-month nationwide warranty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Repair Services

NAICS

General Automotive Repair (811111), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133), Automotive Repair and Maintenance (8111)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

General Automotive Repair & Maintenance (TLAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Auto Ancillary Warranties (Tire & Wheel, Paintless Dent, Key/Remote, Windshield) (FSAJALAB)

Keywords

• Auto repair services
• Vehicle maintenance
• Automotive diagnostics
• Franchise auto care
• Car repair network

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Petersburg

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices59 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Auto Repair and Maintenance Services: Revenue from providing vehicle repair and maintenance services including oil changes, brake service, alignments, diagnostics, and more. Priced per service with various specials and discounts available.
2. Franchise Fees and Royalties: Initial franchise fee of $75,000 plus ongoing Royalty Fee of 6% of gross sales and national Advertising Fee of 2%. Startup costs range from $255,750 to $1,242,250.
3. Parts Sales: Sale of automotive parts and products with partnerships with many national auto parts suppliers offering leading brands plus Honest1 products

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Honest-1 Auto Care is a franchise network of locally-owned vehicle repair and maintenance shops offering a comprehensive suite of automotive services including oil changes, brakes, alignment, tires, engine repair, transmission, A/C and heating, diagnostics, and electrical services. The brand differentiates through digital vehicle inspections (Roadworthy Inspections) with photos sent to customer phones, a 36-month/36,000-mile Roadworthy Warranty honored at 58,000+ locations nationwide, and Eco-Friendly Auto Care practices.

Product overview

Honest1 Auto Care operates as a franchise network of locally-owned vehicle repair and maintenance shops offering a comprehensive suite of automotive services. The company provides core repair and maintenance services including A/C and heating, alignment, battery, brake, cooling system, diagnostics, engine repair, exhaust, oil changes, tire services, transmission, and vehicle electrical services. The business differentiates through branded service features including the Roadworthy Inspection (digital vehicle assessment delivered via smartphone with photos), Roadworthy Warranty (36-month/36,000-mile nationwide coverage honored at 58,000+ locations), and Eco-Friendly Auto Care services. Additional customer amenities include the 365 Roadside Assistance Program, free shuttle service, and loyalty rewards program. The company was founded in 2003 and operates over 60 franchise locations across the United States, focusing on technology-driven transparency and community impact.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oil Change Services Oil change services for passenger vehicles using synthetic blend, full synthetic, and diesel oils at varying price points based on oil type and location.
• Brake Services Brake system inspection, repair, and replacement covering pads, rotors, drums, and calipers for foreign and domestic vehicles.
• Alignment Services Wheel and alignment services designed to ensure proper vehicle handling and prevent uneven tire wear.
• Tire and Wheel Services Tire services including rotation, replacement, flat repair, and wheel alignment.
• Battery Services Battery testing, replacement, and electrical system services for vehicle starting and charging systems.
• Engine Repairs Engine repair and performance services addressing a range of engine-related vehicle issues.
• Transmission Services Transmission repair and maintenance services for both automatic and manual transmissions.
• A/C and Heating Services Air conditioning and heating system repair and maintenance for vehicle climate control.
• Diagnostics and Inspections Computer diagnostic services and comprehensive vehicle inspections including check engine light scans.
• Vehicle Electrical Services Electrical system diagnosis and repair services for vehicle wiring and electronic components.
• Cooling System and Radiator Services Engine cooling system and radiator repair, flush, and replacement services.
• Exhaust and Muffler Services Exhaust system repair, muffler replacement, and emission control services.
• Maintenance Services Preventive maintenance services including scheduled maintenance and general vehicle upkeep.
• Vehicle Suspension, Shock and Strut Services Suspension system repair services covering shocks, struts, and related ride and handling components.
• Foreign and Domestic Repairs Multi-brand vehicle repair services covering both foreign and domestic automobile makes and models.
• Vehicle Repairs General vehicle repair services across various makes and models not covered by specialized service categories.
• Roadworthy Inspection A digital vehicle inspection service providing a comprehensive multi-point assessment of vehicle systems including tires, brakes, and suspension, delivered with photos to the customer's phone for transparent communication.
• Roadworthy Warranty A 36-month and 36,000-mile nationwide warranty covering parts and labor, included with repairs and honored at over 58,000 service centers across the US and Canada.
• Eco-Friendly Auto Care Environmentally conscious auto care services delivered with practices designed to minimize environmental footprint during vehicle maintenance and repair.
• 365 Roadside Assistance Program Complimentary 24/7 roadside assistance covering tow, flat tire, jump-start, and lockout services, included with any purchase of $25 or more with reimbursement up to $75 per occurrence.
• Honest1 Auto Care Franchise Franchise opportunity allowing entrepreneurs to own and operate Honest1 Auto Care service centers with established brand, training, support, and a proven digital-first business model. Includes a $75,000 franchise fee, 6% royalty fee, and 2% national advertising fee, with SBA pre-approved financing.

Quantifiable outcome

• 58,000+ auto repair locations honor the Roadworthy Warranty nationwide

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Auto Parts SupplierscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnerships with many national auto parts suppliers offering a selection of leading brands in addition to Honest1 products for customers to choose from
• SBA (Small Business Administration)minorOthersHonest1 is an SBA Pre-Approved franchise, enabling franchisees to access SBA loans through recommended qualified lenders
• AAA (American Automobile Association)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership providing AAA member discounts at franchise locations; AAA tow trucks bring vehicles to Honest1 locations
• Sonsio Administrative Services, LLCcoreOthersAdministrative services provider serving as the Warranty Administrator for the Roadworthy Warranty program nationwide

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Jiffy Lube: Jiffy Lube is the largest quick-lube and light automotive maintenance franchise in North America with 2,000+ locations. It directly competes with Honest-1 in oil changes and basic maintenance services, though it focuses more narrowly on quick-lube while Honest-1 offers broader repair.
• Pep Boys: Pep Boys operates a large network of full-service auto care centers providing tires, maintenance, and repair services. It competes head-to-head with Honest-1 across the same service categories and customer segments, with broader geographic coverage and longer brand history.
• AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care: AAMCO is a nationwide transmission and total car care franchise with 600+ locations. It overlaps with Honest-1's transmission service line and broader repair offerings, targeting similar customer demographics with a franchise-driven growth model.
• Grease Monkey: Grease Monkey is an oil change and light maintenance franchise with 500+ locations. It is a direct competitor focused on quick services, overlapping with Honest-1's oil change and routine maintenance offerings but with a more limited service menu.
• Meineke Car Care Centers: Meineke is a nationwide auto repair franchise with 900+ locations offering full-service maintenance and repair. It is one of the most direct competitors to Honest-1's franchise model and broad service mix, serving the same SMB/consumer market with similar warranty programs.
• Christian Brothers Automotive: Christian Brothers Automotive is a faith-based auto repair franchise with 200+ locations emphasizing trust and transparency. It competes most directly with Honest-1 on the trust/honesty positioning, serving the same customer segment with similar values-driven branding.
• Take 5 Oil Change: Take 5 Oil Change is a fast-growing quick-lube franchise with 1,500+ locations emphasizing speed and stay-in-car service. It directly competes with Honest-1 on oil change services and routine maintenance, though with a narrower service scope and more recent aggressive expansion.
• Midas: Midas is a 60+ year old auto repair franchise specializing in brakes, exhaust, tires, and maintenance with 2,000+ locations. It is a direct franchise-model competitor to Honest-1 with a more established brand but similar service breadth and franchise economics.

Others

• AutoZone: AutoZone is the largest US retailer of automotive parts and accessories with 6,000+ stores. It is not a direct competitor in repair services but is an adjacent ecosystem player whose DIY parts sales and free diagnostic services influence customer decisions on whether to repair in-shop or DIY.

Broad incumbents

• Firestone Complete Auto Care: Firestone Complete Auto Care is the service arm of Bridgestone's retail network with 2,000+ locations offering tires, maintenance, and repairs. It is a broad incumbent in the same category, with significantly larger scale and brand recognition than Honest-1's network.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Honest1USA
• Facebookfacebook.com/honest1autocarebrand
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/honest-1-auto-care

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Honest-1 Auto Care