What Ziebart does

Ziebart International Corporation is a privately held automotive appearance and protection services franchisor founded in 1959 and headquartered in Troy, Michigan. The company sells and supports a portfolio of branded protection and detailing services — including rust protection and undercoating, paint protection (Z-Gloss ceramic coatings, Diamond Gloss sealant, Z-Shield paint protection film), interior and exterior detailing built on the patented Z-Central Detailing System, window tinting, auto glass repair and replacement, spray-on bed liners (Rhino Linings), and a broad line of truck and automotive accessories — delivered through a franchise network of more than 400 locations across 37 countries. Supporting technologies include proprietary chemical formulations (exclusive rust protection with annual renewal, EPA-approved Germ Defender powered by Bioshield 75), ten-year limited warranties on ceramic coatings, lifetime warranties on spray-on bed liners, and a nationwide replacement warranty on window tint.

Ziebart generates revenue through multiple streams: professional service fees collected at franchise locations; franchise fees, royalties, and product supply to franchisees (three new franchise agreements and four new locations added in 2025); B2B programs including the Gold Shield Protection Program (deployed through automobile dealerships, launched at the 2026 NADA Show) and fleet operator programs; and consumer promotional financing via the Ziebart Credit Card. Its primary customer is the individual vehicle owner seeking to extend vehicle life and preserve resale value, with secondary segments in car dealerships, commercial fleet operators, and truck owners. Marketing is multi-channel, spanning owned blog content, social media, email, PR, industry events, and promotional contests (e.g., Detail for Dad).

Operationally, Ziebart reported record revenue in 2025 alongside 45% year-over-year growth in leads, and is investing in 2026 around Eastern U.S. franchise expansion, the upcoming iBart mobile application, and continued rollout of the Gold Shield dealer channel. The company is privately held with no disclosed parent, institutional investors, or M&A activity in the available data; it has been ranked #144 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 and recognized as a Top Franchise for Veterans by Franchise Business Review in 2025.

Name

Ziebart

Legal name

Ziebart International Corporation

Website

https://ziebart.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Ziebart is a 1959-founded, Troy, Michigan-based franchisor of automotive appearance and protection services, operating 400+ franchise locations across 37 countries. It delivers rust protection, paint protection, detailing, window tinting, undercoating, and truck accessories to individual vehicle owners, dealerships, and fleet operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Appearance and Protection Services

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive & Transportation Coatings (IMAEAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Window Films & Tinting Retail (Privacy, UV, Decorative Films) (CRAIAKAJ)

Keywords

• Automotive appearance protection
• Vehicle rust protection
• Paint protection services
• Auto detailing services
• Truck accessories installation

Headquarters

HQ city

Troy

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Vehicle Appearance Services: Ziebart generates revenue through providing automotive appearance and protection services including detailing, rust protection, paint protection, window tinting, undercoating, paint correction, and truck accessories through its network of over 400 franchise locations across 37 countries.
2. Franchise Fees and Licensing: Ziebart operates as a franchisor, generating revenue through franchise agreements. The company reported three new franchise agreements and four new locations opened in 2025.
3. Dealership Programs: Revenue generated through the Gold Shield Protection Program enabling car dealerships to offer Ziebart vehicle protection services in-house using company products and training.
4. Promotional Financing: Ziebart offers promotional financing through the Ziebart Credit Card, with promotional offers such as 15% back (up to $150) as a Visa prepaid card on purchases of $499 or more.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ziebart provides automotive appearance and protection services including rust protection, paint protection films, ceramic coatings, window tinting, undercoating, auto detailing, and truck accessories such as spray-on bed liners and running boards. The company operates as a global franchisor with over 400 locations across 37 countries, serving individual vehicle owners directly, car dealerships via the Gold Shield Protection Program, and commercial fleet operators via dedicated fleet programs.

Product overview

Ziebart is a global automotive appearance and protection services franchisor offering a comprehensive portfolio of vehicle protection and customization services through over 400 locations across 37 countries. The core offering centers on paint protection (Z-Gloss® Ceramic Coating, Diamond Gloss® Paint Protection, Z-Shield® Paint Protection Film), rust protection and undercoating services, auto detailing (interior and exterior), window tinting, and auto glass services. The product line extends to truck accessories (Rhino Linings® Spray-On Bed Liners, running boards, toolboxes, fender flares, mud flaps, trailer hitches) and interior protection products (Inner-Guard® Plus, Fabric Protection, Germ Defender®, Leather Conditioner). Business programs include dealer partnership (Gold Shield Protection Program) and fleet services. The company operates on a franchise model with certified technicians providing professional installation, backed by industry-leading warranty coverage including annual inspection and renewal services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Inner-Guard® Plus: Interior detailing service providing fabric protection, leather conditioning, and Germ Defender protection.
• Z-Gloss® Ceramic Paint Coating
• Diamond Gloss® Paint Protection
• Z-Shield® Paint Protection Film
• Germ Defender®
• Gold Shield Protection Program
• iBart App

Products and services

• Rust Protection Services Application of Ziebart's proprietary rust protection sealant to a vehicle's most vulnerable areas including hood, body panels, and trunk. Seals out road salt, moisture, and environmental contaminants, includes annual inspection and reapplication service, and is backed by a national limited full-repair warranty. Targeted at vehicle owners seeking to extend vehicle lifespan.
• Undercoating Services Thick, abrasion-resistant coating applied to vehicle undercarriage to seal out road salt, dirt, and moisture. Forms a barrier protecting against road abrasion, reduces road noise, and protects against rust for vehicle owners in regions with harsh road conditions.
• Auto Detailing Services Professional interior and exterior vehicle cleaning using Ziebart's proprietary Z-Central Detailing System. Includes deep vacuuming, pre-treatment, spot cleaning, shampooing, and surface conditioning to restore vehicle interior and exterior to like-new condition for individual vehicle owners.
• Window Tint Automotive window tinting film available in dyed, metalized, and ceramic (NCP) types. Provides UV protection up to 99%, heat reduction up to 58%, glare reduction up to 90%, scratch-resistant, signal-enabling for vehicles and mobile devices. Available in 8 shades to match factory tint with nationwide replacement warranty.
• Rhino Linings Spray-On Bed Liner Rugged, non-skid polyurethane coating that bonds directly to truck bed surfaces forming a permanent, airtight, abrasion and impact-resistant layer protecting against rust and corrosion. Backed by national lifetime warranty against cracking, lifting, or peeling. Targeted at truck owners.
• Paint Correction Services Multi-step paint restoration process including polishing, scratch removal, and clay paint restoration to remove swirl marks, oxidation, and surface defects and restore paint clarity for vehicle owners.
• Windshield Chip Repair Repair of stone chips smaller than one inch to prevent them from spreading into larger cracks. Works with insurance providers and fills small chips to avoid complete windshield replacement.
• Auto Glass Replacement Complete windshield and auto glass replacement services for vehicles with cracks larger than 12 inches.
• Inner-Guard Plus Complete interior detailing treatment applied once a year, including fabric protection to prevent stains, leather conditioner to prevent cracking, and Germ Defender protection against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Targeted at vehicle owners seeking interior preservation.
• Z-Gloss Ceramic Paint Coating Three-layer nano-ceramic coating that locks in showroom shine while providing impact resistance, chemical resistance, acid rain resistance, UV resistance, scratch resistance, temperature resistance, and water resistance. Creates a hydrophobic barrier that repels water, dirt, and debris. Backed by a ten-year limited warranty requiring annual maintenance program participation.
• Diamond Gloss Paint Protection Hard resin-based synthetic polymer sealant engineered to integrate with clear coat, restoring original luster of factory finish with a ten-year warranty requiring annual maintenance program participation.
• Z-Shield Paint Protection Film Clear, nearly invisible aliphatic polyurethane film that wraps around vehicle surfaces to absorb kinetic energy from road debris. Features self-healing molecular memory that repairs light surface scratches with ambient solar heat. Protects bumpers, mirrors, hoods, and vulnerable painted areas.
• Fabric Protection Protective compound that preserves fabric and upholstery by locking fibers to prevent pet stains, liquid spills, and dirt from penetrating and leaving lasting stains. Makes cleanup quick and effortless.
• Germ Defender EPA-approved antimicrobial treatment powered by Bioshield 75 that punctures cell walls of microbes. Provides protection for minimum 90 days against wide assortment of bacterial strains including Staph, E. Coli, Ringworm, Mildew, Salmonella, Listeria, and Fungi.
• Leather Conditioner Conditioning treatment that keeps leather surfaces soft and prevents cracking and color/texture changes.
• Ziebart Glass Treatment Glass treatment product that improves visibility in rain and reduces buildup of road film on windshield surfaces.
• Sound Deadener Undercoating service component that reduces road noise and vibration in vehicle interior.
• Gold Shield Protection Program Car dealer partnership program enabling automobile dealerships to apply select Ziebart vehicle protection services in-house using Ziebart products and training, allowing dealers to offer branded protection products and generate additional revenue. Targeted at car dealerships nationwide.
• Fleet Programs Vehicle appearance and protection services for commercial fleet operators, including lease turn-in preparation and ongoing maintenance programs. Targeted at businesses operating multiple vehicles that need consistent appearance and protection maintenance.
• Remote Starters Remote vehicle starter systems allowing drivers to warm up or cool down vehicles from a distance, defrost windshields, and bring engine to optimal operating temperature. Targeted at vehicle owners in cold or hot climates.
• Running Boards and Steps Step bars available in stainless, powder-coated, steel, round and oval styles. Custom-fitted to specific vehicle makes and models for truck owners.
• Tonneau Cover Truck bed covers providing added security and protection from elements. Available in multiple styles to match different lifestyles for truck owners.
• Floor Mats Custom-contoured floor liners and mats with surface channels that trap spills and debris. Made from highly durable material that never cracks, curls, or fades from extreme temperatures for vehicle owners.
• Wheel Mud Flaps and Guards Custom-fit, no-drill mud flaps and splash guards that protect truck fenders from rocks, mud, salt, and road grime while preventing chips that lead to surface rust for truck owners.
• Side Window Drip Guards Vent visors that allow windows to remain cracked for fresh air circulation in all weather conditions. Reduce wind noise, provide glare reduction, and come in clear, smoke, chrome, and color-matched finishes.
• Trailer Hitches Class I through Class V trailer hitches with light wiring packages and trailer brake controller installation. Custom-fitted options for specific vehicle makes and models for truck owners.
• Toolboxes Weather-tight truck bed storage boxes available in top-mounted, side-mounted, crossbed, hitch mount, and trailer tongue configurations. Made in aluminum, steel, or stainless steel with locking mechanisms.
• Fender Flares Aftermarket fender flares in OEM Style, Street Style, Pocket/Bolt Style, and Extended Style. Provide protection from dirt and debris while adding visual appeal. Custom-fitted for specific vehicle makes and models for truck owners.
• Tailgate Protectors Protective covers that shield truck tailgates from dents and nicks caused by cargo loading and unloading. Targeted at truck owners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25,000,000+ vehicles protected
• +5 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 January 2026Ziebart debuted its Gold Shield Protection Program at the 2026 NADA Show in Las Vegas. This strategic partnership with NADA enables Ziebart to reach car dealerships across the country, positioning the program for nationwide expansion through the dealer network represented by NADA.
• Pet Supplies PlusminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 June 2021Ziebart partnered with Pet Supplies Plus for the #CoPilotPets campaign, celebrating pet owners' excitement for road trips. The campaign offered winners a free Inner-Guard PLUS interior detailing from Ziebart along with summer travel products and a $100 Pet Supplies Plus gift card. Contest participants posted videos to Instagram featuring pets reacting to 'Wanna go for a ride?'
• Mission 22minorOthersMission 22 is featured as a partner on Ziebart's website with logo placement, suggesting a charitable partnership or cause marketing relationship supporting veteran causes.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Midas: Midas is a global franchised auto service brand focused on tires, brakes, and maintenance. It shares Ziebart's franchise-based, consumer-auto-services DNA and is a broader incumbent in the auto aftermarket services space.
• Meineke Car Care Centers: Meineke is a long-established franchised auto service chain offering exhaust, brakes, oil change, and general repair. It is a broader auto service incumbent whose customer base and franchise model overlap with Ziebart's vehicle-owner targeting.
• AAMCO Transmissions & Total Car Care: AAMCO is a nationwide franchised auto service network, now offering broader car care alongside transmission services. It is comparable to Ziebart as a large, mature automotive franchise brand serving consumer vehicle owners.

Direct peers

• Take 5 Car Wash: Take 5 is a fast-growing express car wash franchise owned by Driven Brands. It competes with Ziebart at the consumer vehicle appearance layer and shares the franchise-driven growth model targeting vehicle owners.
• Quick Quack Car Wash: Quick Quack is a multi-state express car wash franchise with a strong consumer brand. It overlaps with Ziebart's exterior cleaning/detailing services via membership-based car wash and competes for the same vehicle-owner customer wallet.
• DetailXPerts: DetailXPerts is an auto detailing franchise offering interior and exterior detailing services. It mirrors Ziebart's franchise structure and detailing focus, making it a direct franchise competitor for vehicle appearance services.
• Maaco: Maaco is a franchised auto appearance services chain specializing in paint, bodywork, and refinishing across the US. It is one of the most direct peers to Ziebart, sharing the franchise model, automotive appearance focus, and broad national footprint.

Emerging players

• Dr. Detail: Dr. Detail operates mobile and fixed-location auto detailing services with multiple franchise units. It is a smaller but direct competitor in the professional detailing space that competes with Ziebart's auto detailing offering.
• Ceramic Pro: Ceramic Pro is a premium automotive ceramic coating and paint protection film brand with a network of certified installers. It directly competes with Ziebart's Z-Gloss ceramic coating and Z-Shield paint protection film services, particularly in the premium and luxury segment.

Others

• Rhino Linings Corporation: Rhino Linings is a manufacturer and licensor of spray-on bed liner and protective coatings, and a current product partner of Ziebart. It is an upstream supplier/enabler rather than a direct competitor but highly relevant to Ziebart's truck accessory business.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/ZiebartUSA
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ziebartinternational
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZiebartUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ziebart-international
• Instagraminstagram.com/ziebartusa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Ziebart