How much does a Cardinal Auto franchise cost?
Last verified July 2026 · source: Disclosure document v2.0.
Full cost breakdown
| Initial franchise fee | $53,000 |
| Fit-out & equipment | $45,000 – $453,000 |
| Working capital | $17,000 |
| Total investment (all-in) | $115,000 – $523,000 |
Establishment range includes working capital. Where a franchisor’s published range excludes it, we publish our computed all-in figure and note the difference.
Ongoing fees vs the category
| Fee | Cardinal Auto | Category median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty (% gross sales) | 6.8% | 7.5% | below median |
| Marketing levy (% gross sales) | 2.3% | 2.5% | below median |
Medians from the Automotive Fee Index. See methodology.
What that buys you
The $53,000 initial fee covers your licence to operate under the Cardinal Auto system, initial training and brand onboarding. The bulk of the investment — $45,000–$453,000 — is the physical site build. The term is 10 years, with a 5-year renewal option. Ongoing, you pay a 6.8% royalty and a 2.3% marketing levy on gross sales.
Estimate your cost
Indicative only — initial fee $53,000 + fit-out $268,920 + working capital $17,000. Confirm the exact figure in the disclosure document.
Cost questions
What is the cheapest way into a Cardinal Auto franchise?
The lowest entry point is the bottom of the establishment range, $115,000 all-in. A resale of an existing site can sometimes reduce fit-out cost versus a greenfield build, but pricing depends on the site — compare both before committing.
Is a Cardinal Auto resale cheaper than a new site?
Not always. A resale removes some fit-out and ramp-up cost but adds goodwill in the sale price. New sites carry the full $45,000–$453,000 fit-out but start with no goodwill premium.
What hidden costs should I budget for?
Beyond the initial fee and fit-out, budget roughly $17,000 working capital for wages, stock and rent before the site is cash-flow positive. The 2.3% marketing levy and 6.8% royalty are ongoing, not one-off.
Do I get a refund during cooling-off?
Under the Franchising Code 2025 you have a 14-day cooling-off period after signing or making a non-refundable payment. If you exercise it, the franchisor must repay amounts paid, less reasonable expenses — this is a statutory right, not a franchisor concession.