We caught up with Russell Potts, franchise development manager at What Scratch, a mobile automotive paint scratch repair business. 

How important are franchise territories?

Crucial. Each franchisee is provided with a designated territory that is determined by postcode, population and target trade customers.

Is multi-unit franchising encouraged?

Yes. As territories develop, What Scratch franchisees are encouraged to expand and purchase additional territories.

What are some challenges that come with owning an automotive franchise?

As most Australians own cars, the market is large but competitive. There are also the challenges of fluctuations in consumer confidence and the economy. We are fortunate to have an exclusive patented product that is only available through our franchisees, which to a degree protects us from competitors and market fluctuations.

Who is an ideal franchisee?

An ideal What Scratch franchisee is predominantly someone who is fit, good with their hands and enjoys working with cars. No experience is necessary, as our training is comprehensive. The person must be teachable and be willing to develop customer service skills. We have technicians from a number of backgrounds including IT and administration. We also have husband and wife teams.

What kinds of accreditation or qualifications are required to run an automotive franchise?

Our franchisees do not require any formal qualifications, just to complete our training. 

What is the initial investment cost of a franchise and how long is a term?

The initial investment is $60,000 including GST and a work vehicle approved by the franchisor. The initial term is five years with an option of renewal each five years.

What is different about your franchise model?

What Scratch provides an exclusive product for repairing paint scratches that is faster and costs substantially less than traditional scratch repair methods.

What kind of support is included from the network?

On top of our initial training, we have a dedicated franchise support manager who helps our franchisees develop trade customers when starting out. We also provide ongoing leads for retail customers through online marketing and other local marketing support.

What are some misconceptions about owning an automotive franchise?

The greatest one is that it’s easy. Whilst you get to see the results of your skill, and there are financial rewards if you work hard, it can also be physically demanding, and takes time to develop proficiency. 

Interested in an automotive franchise? Find out more about the category.