Mr. Transmission Franchise

The April 29, 2026 FDD traces the operation of Mr. Transmission or predecessor centers to 1962 and franchising to 1970. Moran was incorporated in Illinois in July 1990. Barbara Moran-Goodrich, identified as a Moran co-founder, has served on its board since inception and is listed in the FDD as Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer.

The organization broadened its automotive portfolio through acquisitions, including the Milex Tune-Up and Brakes system and its 14 franchised centers in November 1997. That acquisition developed into the Milex Complete Auto Care offering. In November 2025, Moran Industries, Inc. converted from an Illinois corporation to a limited liability company named Moran Family of Brands, LLC. The FDD identifies Automotive Franchise Brands, Inc. as its parent and Legacy Brands, Inc. as the parent’s owner.

The current offering distinguishes transmission-focused Mr. Transmission centers, general-repair Milex centers and centers combining both brands. New businesses and conversions of existing independent repair businesses are available under the disclosed formats. The co-branded option expands the authorized service mix; general automotive care and unrelated Moran brands should not be assumed to be included in every Mr. Transmission franchise.

For a single Mr. Transmission center, the FDD estimates an initial investment of $267,500–$341,000, including a $45,000 initial franchise fee. The co-branded Mr. Transmission/Milex format has a separate $293,900–$362,900 investment range and $55,000 franchise fee. Both investment estimates include six months of additional funds. Area development is a separate commitment involving at least three co-branded centers, additional fees and an agreed opening schedule.

Initial training. Moran University combines online owner/operator courses, three days of classroom instruction at the support center in Orland Park, Illinois, and one week of field development at an operating center. The FDD describes the online component as approximately two to three weeks at the participant’s pace and lists 50 hours of online coursework. Training covers leadership, personnel, financial management, customer complaints, phone procedures, sales conversion, service recommendations, business systems and daily operations. Based on test results and its evaluation, Moran may require up to three additional weeks of field training.

The sole owner or an owner overseeing operations must attend and complete training satisfactorily before opening. A non-owner Customer Service Manager must complete the online daily-operations component, and appointed managers must attend the center-management portion. The initial training fee is $5,000 for the first location; travel, lodging, meals, vehicle rental and other attendance expenses are additional. Further location training fees may be required based on the flagship center’s performance. If the center has not opened within 180 days after training, the appropriate person may have to repeat portions.

Opening and local business development. Moran or an approved vendor assists with market assessment, broker coordination and site identification, while the franchisee remains responsible for site selection and its costs. Moran reviews the proposed location and lease, provides an onboarding checklist, operating manuals, equipment and sign specifications, and helps develop the initial advertising plan. New-center operations generally must begin within one year of the franchise agreement unless extended; conversions have a separate 60-day opening requirement.

The mandatory Outside Sales Community Development Program carries a separate $3,000 fee and includes three days of work in the local market. It focuses on community outreach and fleet development, including customer lists, client calls and instruction in executing the program. Its precise scheduling should be confirmed during onboarding because the FDD describes different timing in its investment notes and training section.

Continuing support. Online courses remain available, and Moran may require additional courses and testing during the agreement. Ongoing counseling, field visits, operational research and additional assistance are described as discretionary. Moran may also schedule mandatory conferences addressing sales, marketing, financial management, technical developments and operating standards. It covers the training-session expense for those conferences, while owners pay their travel, lodging, food and other attendance costs.

Moran’s in-house marketing team provides ideas and concepts, develops creative materials and works with agencies on preferred vendor pricing. It creates the center’s Facebook account and Google listing and maintains brand website arrangements. This is not a national advertising placement program: owners fund their local advertising and contribute separately to the Creative Fund. The disclosed new-center local budget is $5,000 monthly for the first six months, followed by percentage-based spending with minimums. Required shop software, automotive information subscriptions and technology updates also carry operating costs.

Mr. Transmission offers a defined specialty within automotive repair, supported by an operating system that connects service procedures with customer communication, sales development and shop management. The separately priced Milex co-brand gives buyers another format to consider when they want to combine transmission work with general automotive maintenance and repair. Startup and conversion options allow the discussion to begin with the buyer’s existing business, facilities and operating experience.

This is an active ownership opportunity. The FDD requires full-time, onsite owner supervision; where there are multiple owners, a designated owner with at least a one-third interest must take that role. Hiring a manager does not replace that obligation. A buyer who enjoys leading a service team, following operating procedures and building local customer and fleet relationships is well aligned with the work described in the franchise system.

For questions about service scope, premises, equipment, staffing and owner responsibilities, read our automotive franchise model comparison.