How to Finance an Express Mobile Lube Franchise: Vans and SBA
By Marc Cornella
An Express Mobile Lube franchise loan finances a quick-lube business with no building: a service vehicle outfitted to change oil in a customer’s driveway or office parking lot, plus the franchise fee, supplies and working capital to build a route. Because the main asset rolls, the financing looks more like vehicle and equipment lending than a traditional oil change center, and the brand’s listing on the SBA Franchise Directory opens the door to SBA 7(a) loans.
This article covers what is publicly known about the brand and how such a business can be financed. It is general information only. US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Express Mobile Lube; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures from the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs and terms vary by lender and borrower, and every loan is subject to lender review and approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Express Mobile Lube Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: mobile oil changes and light maintenance performed at the customer’s home or workplace
- Service method: the company says most vehicles are serviced by vacuuming the used oil out through the dipstick tube, then adding fresh oil and a new filter
- Customers: individual drivers, commercial fleets and employees of workplaces that partner with the brand
- Footprint: the company’s website lists bookable service areas in Georgia, Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee, with markets in Alabama and Florida marked as coming soon
- Fees and investment: we could not verify the current franchise fee, royalty, Item 7 estimate or capital requirements from the brand’s own materials; get them from the current Franchise Disclosure Document
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Express Mobile Lube (code S8737), with no additional notes on the listing
What Is Express Mobile Lube?
Express Mobile Lube brings the oil change to the driver. Customers book online, and a technician arrives at their home or office in a service vehicle carrying oil, filters, fluids and tools. According to the company, every oil change includes a new oil filter, a top-off of antifreeze and windshield washer fluid, a reset of the oil reminder light and a reminder sticker on the windshield. Customers can choose a synthetic blend or full synthetic oil.
Locations also offer add-on work. The company lists air filter and wiper replacement and tire rotation, and its location pages describe services such as cabin filters, serpentine belts, batteries, headlight bulbs, multi-point inspections, brake service and diagnostics. Fleet services are offered with discounts and scheduling built around the fleet’s needs, and individual service areas are run by local owners.
Why lenders see it the way they do. Routine oil changes are a needs-based, repeat purchase, which lenders like. The concept is also young and the system is small, so there are few comparable units to benchmark. Lenders therefore lean on the vehicle and equipment as collateral, the owner’s equity and experience, and a realistic plan for building bookings and fleet accounts.
Express Mobile Lube Franchise Costs
We could not access the brand’s current Franchise Disclosure Document or its franchising page, so this section explains the cost categories rather than quoting numbers. Read Items 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the disclosure document before you size a loan.
Initial franchise fee
Item 5 gives the fee and any discounts for additional territories or vehicles. Ask what territory the fee covers and how it is defined.
Service vehicle and upfit
The service vehicle is the shop. Expect a van or truck with a franchisor-approved upfit: oil and waste tanks, extraction and dispensing pumps, hose reels, a power source, shelving for filters and parts, lighting and vehicle wraps. Item 8 will show whether specific vehicles, upfitters or suppliers are required.
Tools, technology and supplies
Plan for jacks and stands, hand tools, a scan tool for warning lights and diagnostics, battery and charging equipment, spill kits, a tablet or phone for booking and payments, and opening inventory of oil, filters, wipers and fluids.
Opening costs and working capital
Budget for insurance on the vehicle and the work performed, licenses and permits, launch marketing, training travel, waste oil disposal arrangements and the “additional funds” Item 7 lists for the initial period.
Total investment
Confirm that the Item 7 line items add up to the stated total:
- Initial franchise fee
- Service vehicle purchase or lease, and upfit
- Tools, diagnostic equipment and technology
- Opening inventory of oil, filters and parts
- Vehicle wrap, signage and launch marketing
- Insurance, licenses and permits
- Training, travel and professional fees
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any marketing or brand fund contribution, booking or technology fees, and renewal and transfer fees. In a mobile business, a booking platform fee can be a meaningful line item because nearly every job runs through it.
Lenders subtract these fees, plus fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, technician pay and supplies, before deciding how much debt the business can carry. An Express Mobile Lube franchise loan request that shows a full operating budget is far more convincing than one that only lists the startup costs.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
We did not find a published minimum net worth, liquid capital or experience requirement. Ask the franchise development team directly. Expect the franchisor to look for owners who can sell to fleet managers and employers, hire dependable technicians and keep vehicles on the road.
Ways to Own an Express Mobile Lube
A new territory. Most buyers will launch a new service area. Lenders treat it as a start-up, relying on your equity, credit and plan. See our automotive care start-up financing page.
Buying an existing territory. If an owner sells, the buyer may get vehicles, customer lists and fleet accounts with a payment history. The franchisor’s approval and transfer terms apply. Our automotive business acquisition loans page explains how these purchases are financed.
Adding vehicles. Growth often means a second or third service vehicle in the same territory, which can be financed separately once the first one is busy.
Financing Options for an Express Mobile Lube Franchise
SBA 7(a) loans. The SBA 7(a) loan program can fund the franchise fee, vehicle, upfit, tools and working capital in one loan, which simplifies a start-up with many small costs.
Equipment and vehicle financing. The service vehicle and its upfit can often be financed or leased on their own, with the vehicle as collateral. That can preserve cash for marketing and payroll. Learn more about automotive equipment financing and leasing.
Conventional term loans. Owners with strong credit and collateral may use a conventional business loan, especially when adding vehicles to an established territory.
SBA 504 loans. The 504 program is built for owner-occupied real estate and long-lived fixed assets. A mobile business rarely needs it unless the owner later buys a building for vehicle storage and inventory.
Working capital and lines of credit. Fleet customers may pay on invoice terms, and oil and filter prices change. A line of credit can bridge receivables and keep inventory stocked. See our automotive working capital and lines of credit.
Seller financing on resales. A seller may carry part of the price when selling a territory. Any seller note is typically subordinate to the senior lender, and loan programs may limit how it can be structured or repaid.
SBA Loans for Express Mobile Lube Franchisees
SBA lenders check the SBA Franchise Directory to confirm that a brand’s franchise documents have been reviewed for eligibility. A listing does not approve any borrower; it means the franchise relationship itself does not stand in the way of an SBA-guaranteed loan.
Directory listing. Express Mobile Lube is listed under code S8737, and the listing carries no additional notes. That means lenders do not have a brand-specific condition to work around, though every standard SBA requirement still applies.
Application tips. Our article on SBA loans for auto repair shops explains what automotive borrowers are typically asked to provide. Include vehicle and upfit quotes, a technician hiring plan and evidence of any fleet or employer interest you have lined up. The SBA 7(a) program maximum is currently $5 million, though program rules can change.
How Lenders Evaluate an Express Mobile Lube Deal
Personal credit and financial history. Expect a review of credit, tax returns and debts, plus a personal guarantee.
Net worth and liquidity. Lenders want your equity injection plus reserves to carry the business while bookings build.
Industry and management experience. Automotive service, fleet management, field service or route-based sales experience strengthens the file.
Business plan and projections. Build projections from jobs per vehicle per day, drive time between stops, average ticket with add-ons, the mix of retail and fleet work, and fuel and labor costs.
The disclosure document and franchise agreement. Lenders read Items 5, 6, 7 and 17 and the franchise agreement. Note only whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations; do not base a loan request on another owner’s results.
Vehicle storage. Even without a shop, you need a safe place to park the vehicle, store inventory and handle used oil. Lenders may ask where the vehicle is kept and how waste is managed.
The Service Vehicle: A Closer Look
The vehicle is both the main expense and the main collateral, so choose it carefully. Lenders and lessors value vehicles differently from built-in equipment: a standard van holds resale value, while a custom tank-and-pump upfit may be worth less on its own if the business closes. That affects how much a lender will advance against the package.
Ask the franchisor which vehicles and upfits are approved, how long a build takes and who services the equipment. Plan for tires, maintenance and downtime, because a vehicle in the shop is a territory that is not earning.
Fleet and Workplace Accounts
The company offers fleet services and discounts for employees of partner workplaces. Commercial accounts can fill a schedule more predictably than one-off retail bookings, but they may pay on terms rather than at the time of service. Our article on auto repair fleet accounts explains how lenders view fleet revenue and receivables.
Multi-Unit Growth and Development Agreements
Once the first vehicle is consistently booked, lenders can underwrite a second vehicle or an added territory using real results. If the franchisor offers development schedules for additional vehicles or territories, line up financing before each deadline.
Real-World Scenarios
A technician going out on his own. An experienced lube technician uses an SBA 7(a) loan for the franchise fee, tools and working capital and leases the upfitted van separately.
A fleet manager launching with commercial accounts. A buyer with fleet maintenance experience lines up interest from local businesses before opening and adds a line of credit to cover invoiced fleet work.
An owner adding a second vehicle. After a full schedule, an owner finances a second van with equipment financing based on the business’s track record.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Budgeting for the vehicle but not the upfit, tools and opening inventory
- Assuming the custom upfit holds its value as collateral
- Ignoring fuel, drive time and vehicle downtime in projections
- Leaving no working capital for fleet invoices paid on terms
- Skipping a plan for used oil storage and disposal
For more pitfalls, read our article on auto repair shop loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Express Mobile Lube Franchise
Step 1: Request the current disclosure document. Get the latest fees, Item 7 estimate and approved vehicle specifications.
Step 2: Review it with advisors. Have a franchise attorney and accountant review the fee tables and the franchise agreement.
Step 3: Get vehicle and upfit quotes. Lenders will want real numbers for the largest asset.
Step 4: Estimate your payments. Use our SBA loan calculator for planning; it is not an offer or approval.
Step 5: Assemble your loan package. Include your personal financial statement, tax returns, résumé, projections and quotes.
Step 6: Apply and launch. Align funding with training, vehicle delivery and your first marketing push.
Express Mobile Lube Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does an Express Mobile Lube franchise cost?
Item 7 of the current disclosure document gives the franchisor’s estimate; we could not verify a current figure. The vehicle and upfit are typically the largest costs.
What is the Express Mobile Lube franchise fee?
It is stated in Item 5. Ask whether more vehicles or territories change it.
What royalty does Express Mobile Lube charge?
The royalty and other recurring fees are listed in Item 6.
Is Express Mobile Lube eligible for SBA loans?
Yes. The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S8737 with no additional notes. Each loan still depends on the borrower and lender approval.
Can I finance the service vehicle separately?
Often, yes, through vehicle or equipment financing or a lease. The main lender will count those payments in your debt service.
Do I need a shop or building?
The service is performed at the customer’s location, but you still need a place to store the vehicle, inventory and used oil. Check the disclosure document for any requirements.
Can a first-time owner get an Express Mobile Lube franchise loan?
Possibly. Lenders weigh credit, equity and relevant experience, and a plan for hiring skilled technicians helps.
Can I buy an existing territory?
If one is for sale, yes, subject to franchisor approval. A resale gives lenders actual job and fleet history to review.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
Item 10 of the disclosure document describes any financing it offers. Most owners arrange their own loans.
How long is the franchise agreement?
The term, renewal and transfer conditions are in Item 17. Lenders prefer a franchise term that covers the loan term.
Final Thoughts
An Express Mobile Lube franchise loan comes down to the vehicle, the route and the runway. Start from the current disclosure document, price the vehicle and upfit carefully, and give your lender a plan that accounts for drive time, fleet billing and used oil handling.
US Professional Funding helps owners finance franchise and automotive service businesses, including start-ups, acquisitions, vehicles and equipment. Learn more about our franchise business financing and automotive care financing.
