A higher-performing management franchise opportunity with rewards to match.
Become part of The Largest Wheel Repair Brand in the UK
The franchise network launched in 2006 and now includes more than 20 successful locations nationwide. The Wheel Specialist specialises exclusively in refurbishing, repairing, and customising alloy wheels to the highest technical standard. Where garages or body shops treat wheel work as an add-on, The Wheel Specialist is fully dedicated, giving each franchisee a powerful, specialist position in their territory.
Every franchise operates from a static, fully equipped premises, ensuring a professional environment where all processes, equipment, and team members are under one roof. This creates stability, consistency, and the ability to scale, removing the operational limitations of travelling from job to job or coordinating a remote mobile team.
The Wheel Specialist is not tied to any fixed supplier. The business continuously evaluates new machinery, coatings, and finishes to ensure franchisees always have access to the best available equipment and remain at the forefront of technical innovation.
| Years in franchising: | Over 18 years |
| Heritage: | Established 1955, family-run, 70+ years automotive experience |
| Franchised Units: | 23 |
| Associations: | Member of the British Franchise Association (BFA) |
| Trustpilot: | 4.9/5 Excellent (25,000+ reviews) |
| Demand: | Over 1.5 million wheels refurbished; £30m+ quotes generated annually |
Benefits for Franchisees
Operate under a trusted national brand with decades of recognition and a market-leading reputation. Build your business from purpose-designed premises, giving you professional capacity, a strong physical presence and the ability to focus on growth.
The franchise model provides:
- Multiple income streams across retail, trade, fleet, and dealership customers
- Comprehensive training and ongoing operational and marketing support
- Protected territories ensuring exclusive catchment areas
- A national marketing engine delivering consistent leads
- Steady high-value work through National Accounts*
- A clear route to financial independence and lifestyle flexibility
- A showroom-standard premises that inspires customer confidence and drives repeat business
What Makes The Wheel Specialist Stand Out
The Wheel Specialist is the original, largest, and most established alloy wheel refurbishment brand in the UK. The name carries nationwide recognition among retail customers, trade partners, and dealerships, built on decades of quality, consistency, and technical expertise.
Our commitment to focused specialisation sets us apart. Alloy wheels are our only service, which means every system, process, training programme, and piece of equipment is dedicated entirely to producing the highest possible standard of wheel refurbishment.Every location operates from a fitted, fully equipped premises that supports high output, consistent quality, effective team management, and the complete end-to-end refurbishment process. This structure gives franchisees an operational advantage that delivers reliability, efficiency, and professional capability unmatched by less controlled working environments.
Franchisees also benefit from a clear path to expansion through multi-territory ownership, strengthened by a collaborative network and more than seventy years of industry heritage.
Differentiation
The Wheel Specialist is not an “add-on” service or a mobile-based operation. It is a purpose-built, premises-based business model that provides long-term stability and the infrastructure required to deliver premium results at scale.
Working from a dedicated unit allows for:
- Coordinated team management
- Consistent workflow and quality control
- The ability to handle high-volume and complex refurbishment jobs
- A strong, permanent customer-facing presence
- Reduced inefficiencies
The Wheel Specialist is also independent of supplier restrictions, allowing continuous improvement through new innovations, equipment, and finishes.
The model is designed for both profitability and lifestyle, supporting owners in achieving long-term financial and personal freedom.
Achievements
- Over 20 operational franchises nationwide
- More than 1.5 million wheels refurbished
- Over 327,000 customers served
- £30m+ quotes generated annually
- Partnerships with leading dealerships, garages and insurance providers
- Trustpilot Excellent (4.9 Stars)
Franchisee Profile
Ideal Traits:
- Strong customer service focus
- Commercial and management ability
- Practical and hands-on
- Determined and resilient
- Seeking independence and long-term financial control
Typical Day
Franchisees lead their team within the unit, manage workflow, handle retail and trade enquiries, and maintain The Wheel Specialist’s quality standards. Each day blends customer engagement with business development and operational oversight.
Training & Support
- Full technical, operational, and management training
- Guidance on site selection, layout, branding, and fit-out
- Hands-on launch support
- Bespoke CRM system for workflow and customer management
- Ongoing refresher training and performance reviews
- Strong national and local marketing guidance
- Continued direct access to a dedicated and responsive support team
Lifestyle
This is a full-time, owner-operated franchise suited to ambitious individuals who want to build a significant operation with financial freedom and lifestyle flexibility. Many franchisees choose to expand into multiple territories as their success grows.
The Next Step
Enquire today to get in touch with a representative from the brand:
The 2026 Automotive Aftercare Opportunity: Where the Smart Money Actually Goes
In 2026, the smartest opportunities in automotive are not always the loudest ones.
The real winners are often found in aftercare, where demand is steady because it is tied to everyday ownership, real-world wear, and the simple fact that people want their cars to look right. When the economy feels uncertain, many drivers delay upgrading their vehicle, but they still spend money maintaining what they already have, and appearance is a bigger part of that decision than most people admit.
Wheel refurbishment sits perfectly in that space. It is not a luxury product aimed at a tiny niche, and it is not a “nice idea” that only works when conditions are perfect. It is a practical service that protects aesthetics, helps retain value, and keeps a car looking cared for. For many owners, especially those who take pride in their vehicle, wheels are one of the first things they notice and one of the first things other people notice too.
It is also important to be clear about what wheel refurbishment really is. This is not a service for people who are indifferent about their car. It appeals to drivers who care about condition, presentation, and value. That includes enthusiasts, premium car owners, and anyone who wants their vehicle to look sharp, but it also includes the much larger group of everyday motorists who simply do not want their car to look tired, damaged, or neglected.
This is what makes the category so commercially attractive. The customer motivations are strong and they are consistent. Some customers want the car to look perfect because it reflects personal pride. Some want to protect resale value. Some want to avoid the cost of replacement wheels. Others just want the vehicle to feel “sorted” again. Different reasons, same outcome, and that creates reliable demand without needing to rely on trends.
The most resilient aftercare businesses also understand that customer mix matters. A strong wheel refurbishment operation does not rely purely on public work or purely on trade work. It builds a balance that creates stability, cashflow consistency, and long-term growth.
Trade customers bring repeat volume and predictability. When you are working with dealers, body shops, fleets, and service centres, you are plugging into a constant flow of vehicles that need fast turnaround and dependable quality. Done properly, trade relationships create momentum and routine, and they allow you to plan staffing, workflow, and capacity with far more confidence.
Public customers bring margin, brand presence, and local reputation. Retail work is often driven by presentation, pride of ownership, and that emotional connection people have with their car. It is also where reviews are won, referrals are generated, and the brand becomes recognised in the local area. Public customers often lead to higher value add-ons, and they can become repeat customers across multiple vehicles over time.
The key is not choosing one or the other. The key is building a model that supports both, without compromising service levels, quality control, or operational efficiency. That is where many independent businesses struggle, because they have to invent the process while also trying to win customers, manage technicians, and protect profitability.
This is why franchising becomes a serious consideration for people looking at automotive aftercare as a business opportunity. A good franchise should not be about hype or big claims. It should be about giving an owner-operator a structured way to build something that works in the real world, with systems, training, supplier access, and marketing support that reduces avoidable mistakes and shortens the learning curve.
The Wheel Specialist sits naturally in this conversation because wheel refurbishment is what the brand is built around. The model is designed to serve both trade and public customers, and to do it with a level of professionalism that protects reputation and supports growth. The value for a franchisee is not just having a recognised name. It is having the operational framework, support, and experience behind you that would take years to build independently, and would cost significant money to replicate properly.
For the right person, the opportunity in 2026 is clear. Automotive aftercare is not going away, and wheel refurbishment is a service that remains relevant because it is tied to pride, value, and the everyday realities of car ownership. If you want to start your own business in a sector where demand is practical, customers care about the outcome, and quality drives reputation, it is a category worth serious attention.
And if you want to build that business with the backing of a proven model, strong systems, and the kind of support that helps you operate with confidence from day one, a franchise network like The Wheel Specialist is well worth a look.
No matter how small the problem is, someone is always on the end of the phone. We feel like we’re part of a family
I had worked in the motor trade for over 20 years before joining The Wheel Specialist and found the network and head office support invaluable. Opening our second site was much easier because we knew the demand was strong and the model worked
The Wheel Specialist is a brand. It’s all about doing the right thing. It’s higher-end and not the cheapest, but it is the best quality. Stick to the model. It works
“Business has been fantastic from day one. We took in almost £20k in our first month, which far exceeded my expectations. In the early days, I got so much support in setting up the business. Everything was so well planned that we minimised the setup time and had clients booked in for business from day one. The sales and marketing provided by the franchisor has been brilliant. I have been so impressed with the leads generated for me by Head Office for free. Every day I get dozens of quote requests from potential clients off the web. With my average order value at £276, that is nearly £10k of opportunity in a day that the franchisor is giving me. Now that we are also developing trade accounts locally, I can see that the potential is even better than I was hoping for. I was nervous about setting up my own business but I have to say it was the best decision I have made. The first few months have been great and the future looks even better.”
"I started off my journey running the Edinburgh branch of The Wheel Specialist and I absolutely loved it. After receiving an offer a couple of years later to buy my franchise, I decided to treat myself and accepted the proposal. Unfortunately I soon found myself deeply missing the world of alloy wheel refurbishment, having the opportunity to work on all those amazing cars, it was a sickness for which there was only one cure! To buy another franchise! I’m now very happily back in the world of The Wheel Specialist running the East Kilbride franchise. It’s great to be back!"
“We were looking for a long time for a franchise business to invest in. After hours, weeks, months and years of scouring the internet it was by chance we came across The Wheel Specialist, after having some work carried out by another franchise. We were so impressed with the finished product we had a brief chat about the business with the franchisee, who was full of praise for the franchise. We decided to look a little deeper into it and contacted Ginny at Head Office and arranged a visit to the Birmingham branch. We were sold straight away - that was in August and by the following January we were set up and ready to go. We were supported all the way through from setup, systems to process and thereafter any issues are resolved with a quick phone call. I am left to run my business on a day to day basis and all of the things that may be neglected as a sole trader are dealt with by Head Office lightening your workload. I only wish we had come across the wheel specialist sooner.”
"Having realised a niche in the market for a dedicated alloy wheel refurbishment service in the Grampian area, my first thoughts were to 'go it alone'. However, during my market research, I came across The Wheel Specialist, who had an opening for a franchise in the area. I visited TWS HQ and two existing franchises to get a feel for the business and what a franchise set up would offer compared to setting up my own, and there was no debating that the franchise model was the way forward. TWS offers full technical and front office training prior to start up, easy access to existing suppliers and credit terms, and full time support in technical and sales and marketing. Our online CRM system covers every aspect of running our business and our website is user friendly and allows our clients access to online quotations, none of which I would have had access to on my own. The TWS brand is dedicated to ensuring our clients receive the best value for money service, which can be very demanding on a franchisee, however this is geared to ensure a healthy return on my investment. If the brand is followed, TWS allows you the feeling of running your own business, with the assurance of network support and experience to make it a success."
"It is essential for me that any company or product I have worked with is at the top of their game in all aspects. Delivering consistency is absolutely crucial. Every week we make sure that standards are pulled back online, every month questions are asked if standards have slipped. Sure it’s hard work – but what isn’t if it's worth having? Part of our success has to be due to Ginny and her team being cut from the same cloth. Being the best every time – not accepting second best. We shortly have our annual conference in a beautiful location in the Midlands, where all the franchises get together share best practise, catch up with what’s going on in other parts of the country face to face (although there is an excellent forum on the extranet for daily communication if required). Awards are given for various achievements – great to see a variety of branches each year succeeding with the smashing of goals and targets! I thoroughly enjoy the time as it re-enforces how big the franchise is now and how each year the brand becomes stronger and more defined… incidentally did I mention that HO pay for the whole occasion, not often happens these days! The journey is interesting, challenging and great fun, not to mention rewarding. I am thrilled and delighted with the opportunity that social media has brought us and am loving the way that business shifts and changes. This year my plan is to get bigger – watch this space and keep bringing in those wheels!"
"It has been busier than we could have ever anticipated, we are over the moon!.. We found The Wheel Specialist after looking for a franchise involved in the motor trade, the set-up of working from a fixed premises within our area, giving our customer a warranty on the finish knowing they would not deteriorate within a short period of time was just up our street. The owners of the franchise, Neill and Ginny, along with their franchise support team have put into place a first class operation giving loads of support and encouragement once the process of setting up is underway. From the day we started receiving interest from customers to opening the doors the stone has been rolling faster, with customer of all types coming in. Month before we opened we quoted £30k; month of opening: double, with an increase month on month. So with the support of The Wheel Specialist team we are onto a winner!"
Jon King | The Wheel Specialist Cardiff | Franchise Interview
The Wheel Specialist | Cardiff Showroom
The Wheel Specialist | Franchise Promo Video
The Wheel Specialist | Showroom
An Interview with Sarah Kerr – The Wheel Specialist Bournemouth & The Wheel Specialist Fareham
An Interview with David Stanley - The Wheel Specialist Leicester
An Interview with Eddie & Caroline McVey - The Wheel Specialist Ribble Valley
