Mr. Transmission offers a franchise focused on transmission service and repair, with a separate co-branded option combining that specialty with Milex Complete Auto Care. For a buyer interested in leading an automotive service business, the important distinctions are the chosen format, the startup budget and the owner’s daily responsibilities. Moran Family of Brands, LLC’s April 29, 2026 FDD provides the basis for the operating and cost details below.
The brand and its operating formats
Item 1 states that Moran or its predecessors have operated centers since 1962 and franchised them since 1970. Moran was incorporated in 1990 and acquired Milex intellectual-property rights and fourteen franchised centers in 1997. In November 2025, it converted to a limited liability company and changed its name to Moran Family of Brands, LLC.
A Mr. Transmission center provides retail transmission servicing and repair. A Milex center offers automotive maintenance and broader repair services. A co-branded center combines the two. This distinction expands the service scope of the combined format; it does not establish that a particular location will generate more profit.
The FDD also describes conversion of an existing independent service center and a separate area-development arrangement for multiple co-branded centers. Buyers should compare the agreement and investment schedule for the format they intend to operate. For broader context, see our guide to franchise business models.
Initial investment and franchise fees
Item 7 estimates $267,500 to $341,000 for a Mr. Transmission or Milex single-brand center and $293,900 to $362,900 for a co-branded center. These separate estimates include six months of additional funds. They reflect the FDD’s equipment, facility and other assumptions and are not a quote for a particular property.
Item 5 sets the initial franchise fee at $45,000 for a single-brand center and $55,000 for a co-branded center. The Item 7 schedule also includes a $5,000 training fee, a $5,000 warranty-fund security deposit and a $3,000 outside-sales community-development program fee. These are components of the disclosed estimate, not amounts to add again to its total. Our franchise-fee guide explains why the initial fee and total investment are different measures.
The investment assumptions include a leased facility, leasehold improvements affected by landlord contributions, equipment and tools, signs, inventory and opening marketing. Item 7’s sign estimate excludes certain related costs, including electricity, fees, freight and taxes. Review the full notes when developing a location-specific budget.
For applicant qualifications, Moran’s official financial-qualifications page, accessed October 15, 2026, lists net worth of $300,000 or more for a single location and cash availability of $65,000–$90,000 to be considered. Its ideal-candidate page also identifies $300,000 net worth for automotive brands. These are website-stated applicant qualifications; the separate single-brand and co-branded investment estimates above come from the FDD.
Royalty and advertising obligations
The weekly royalty is 7 percent of weekly gross sales or $250, whichever is greater. The creative-fund contribution is currently 1 percent of gross sales or $250 per month, whichever is greater; the FDD permits increases under its terms. These are separate from local advertising and other operating fees.
New centers must spend $5,000 per month on local advertising during the first six months. From month seven through the first three years, the requirement is 7 percent of gross sales or $2,100 per month, whichever is greater. The mature-center requirement is 3.5 percent or $1,500 per month, whichever is greater. A combined royalty-and-advertising percentage would therefore leave out material obligations and minimums.
Training before opening
Item 11 describes online Moran University instruction, three days of classroom training at the support center in Orland Park, Illinois, and a one-week field-development program at an operating center. The franchisor may require additional field training based on its evaluation. Subjects include leadership, management, business systems, marketing, financial procedures and customer relations.
The owner responsible for operations must attend training. A customer-service manager who is not an owner must complete the specified online daily-operations component, and managers must receive the required center-management training. The franchisee pays applicable travel, lodging and other attendance expenses in addition to the disclosed training fee. The outside-sales community-development program covers local outreach and fleet development.
Opening help and continuing support
The franchisor or an approved vendor assists with market assessment, broker coordination and finding a suitable site, while selection responsibilities and costs remain with the franchisee. The franchisor evaluates and approves the proposed site and supplies operating materials, equipment specifications and initial advertising guidance.
After opening, additional advice, counseling, field visits and certain training activities are discretionary under Item 11. Creative advertising resources may be developed through the creative fund. Local marketing remains the owner’s responsibility; site approval and brand support do not guarantee demand or performance.
Full-time ownership and financing
Item 15 requires full-time, on-site owner supervision and management. Where several owners share the business, a designated owner holding at least a one-third interest must take that role. Appointing a manager does not satisfy the owner’s requirement. Our guide to absentee and semi-absentee ownership explains why those models must be distinguished from this obligation.
Item 10 says Moran does not provide direct or indirect financing or guarantee a loan. It can provide a list of lending organizations familiar with its brands, but the buyer is responsible for obtaining financing and paying lender or broker charges.
Comparing opportunities and available locations
Explore the Mr. Transmission franchise profile and the separate AAMCO franchise profile when comparing automotive opportunities. Confirm proposed territory availability directly during the application process; a list of cities is not evidence that a market is currently available or commercially suitable.
Our guides to finding franchises for sale and understanding the franchise industry provide broader research context. Buyers comparing other operating categories can also read our manufacturing-franchise guide. Evaluate franchise profitability questions using relevant disclosures and your own cost analysis rather than brand recognition or an assumed return.
Source: Moran Family of Brands, LLC FDD issued April 29, 2026, Items 1, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 15, for the operating terms and FDD investment estimates described above.