Mac Tools franchise
Mac Tools franchisees drive a mobile tool store on a set route, selling professional automotive tools and equipment to mechanics at their shops. Owners buy their inventory from Mac Tools, part of Stanley Black & Decker. At the end of 2025 there were 832 Mac Tools locations in the US, all franchised. Instead of a percentage royalty, franchisees pay an annual fee and buy their tool inventory from Mac Tools.
- Cost to open
- $138K–$418K
- Franchise fee
- $8,000
- Royalty
- $1,200/year
- Locations, 2025
- 832+60 in 3 yrs
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Company snapshot
- Franchisor based in
- Dublin, Ohio
- Agreement length
- 10 years
- Territory
- Protected territory
- Financing
- Introductions to lenders
From Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC’s 2026 filing.
How much a Mac Tools franchise costs
Opening one Mac Tools route costs an estimated $137,885 to $418,385. That covers the franchise fee and everything else needed to open, through the first months of working capital.
Source: Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC, 2026 filing, page 31
Mac Tools franchise fee
The franchise fee is $8,000, plus about $4,000 to $5,000 for the required computer system. You pay it when you sign the franchise agreement.
Source: Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC, 2026 filing, page 16
Royalty and ongoing fees
| Royalty | No percentage royalty; an annual fee of $1,200, with inventory bought from Mac Tools. |
|---|
Source: Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC, 2026 filing, page 19
Sales and earnings
Shares figures Mac Tools publishes sales or earnings figures for its locations: it reports historical performance of franchised routes. The full tables, with notes on which locations are counted, are in its filing.
Source: Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC, 2026 filing, page 78
Locations opened and closed
| Year | Franchised | Company-owned | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 813 (+41) | 0 | 87 |
| 2024 | 822 (+9) | 0 | 121 |
| 2025 | 832 (+10) | 0 | 101 |
Closed or left counts terminations, non-renewals, locations bought back by the franchisor and locations that stopped operating.
Source: Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC, 2026 filing, page 81
How Mac Tools compares
Of the 16 retail franchises on this site, Mac Tools is the 3rd cheapest to open and the 5th largest by number of locations.
| Measure | Mac Tools | Typical retail |
|---|---|---|
| Cost to open, low end | $138K | $231K |
| Closed or left per year | 12.8% | 3.4% |
| Change in franchised locations, 3 yrs | +7.8% | +7.2% |
| Shares earnings figures | Yes | 15 of 16 |
Typical is the median across the 16 brands in retail franchises.
Other retail franchises
Mac Tools franchise questions
Does Mac Tools help with financing?
Not directly. Mac Tools points buyers to outside lenders it works with, but the loan is between you and the lender.
Do Mac Tools franchisees get a protected territory?
Yes. Mac Tools assigns a protected territory where it won't open or license another location while you meet the agreement's terms.
How long is a Mac Tools franchise agreement?
The initial term is 10 years. Renewal is usually possible if you're in good standing, often for a fee and a remodel.
Is Mac Tools growing or shrinking?
Over the last 3 years 369 franchised locations opened and 309 closed or left, a net change of +7.8%. About 12.8% of locations closed or left each year. That is above the 3.4% typical for retail franchises.
How does Mac Tools compare with other retail franchises?
Of the 16 retail franchises here, Mac Tools is the 3rd cheapest to open (low end $138K against a $231K median) and the 5th largest by number of locations.
Does Mac Tools say how much franchisees make?
Yes: it reports historical performance of franchised routes. Your results can differ; the filing explains which locations are counted.
Where is Mac Tools based?
Stanley Industrial & Automotive LLC is based in Dublin, Ohio.