How to Start a Valvoline Instant Oil Change Franchise in 7 Steps: Checklist

The official franchise process begins with an application, financial review, FDD delivery, Discovery Day, business-plan and entity work, then License Agreement signing and onboarding. The 2025 FDD supplies the enforceable site, construction, training, insurance, supplier, deadline, and opening-authorization rules that continue after signing.

VIOCF publicly describes its target candidate as growth-minded, adequately capitalized, and focused on customer service. Its current application form asks about existing franchise ownership, company name, development area, and a net-worth category of $1 million-$2 million or $2 million-plus. The page does not state whether $1 million is a contractual minimum or how net worth is measured.

For a Development Agreement, the developer represents that it can fund ground-up construction and conversion acquisitions and meets VIOCF’s minimum financial qualifications for every New Center. The FDD does not publish those minimums, a liquid-capital threshold, a credit-score floor, or a required automotive background. Financial approval remains separate from franchise award and contract signing.

The sequence below combines VIOCF’s published sales process with the 2025 License Agreement dependencies. Approval, signing, Site Approval, construction completion, training completion, inspection, and opening authorization are separate events.

The Site Approval Application must be submitted before the proposed site is purchased or leased. It includes a preliminary site plan, dimensions, building location, street coordinates, area map, photographs, a site pro forma, purchase price or rent, other deal terms, financing structure, and a proposed purchase or lease contract showing control subject to permitted contingencies.

A lease must be submitted for VIOCF’s prior written approval before execution or inclusion in the application. VIOCF may require use restrictions, default notices, cure and entry rights, assignment rights, and a lease term covering at least the initial License Agreement term. Before construction, the licensee must deliver the fully executed approved real-estate contract, obtain required zoning and construction permits, certify those approvals, engage qualified design professionals, and obtain VIOCF approval of final plans.

Sources: 2025 FDD, Item 11, pp. 28-30; Item 12, pp. 37-39; License Agreement §§5-6, pp. 7-11. VIOCF’s official support page describes market-development analytics and site-analysis tools, but the License Agreement leaves site responsibility with the licensee.

The licensee, or a principal designated by VIOCF when the licensee is an entity, must complete Real Estate & Development Training and Administration Training to VIOCF’s satisfaction. The initial Center Manager must complete manager training and the SuperPro training system before opening. Later managers and employees must reach the applicable certification level within six months after starting their positions.

Confirm the exact Development Area or Site Selection Area, whether a candidate site is already known, and which contract controls each Center. Ask for the complete Site Approval Application, current site criteria, prototype-plan package, insurance specifications, approved suppliers, training calendar, opening checklist, and the person authorized to issue written opening approval.

Use Item 20 and Exhibits F and G to contact current and former franchisees about actual site-review times, lease negotiations, permit delays, construction change orders, supplier lead times, training availability, inspection deficiencies, and the gap between opening assistance and opening authorization. The FTC’s franchise buyer guide also recommends reviewing all 23 FDD Items and speaking with franchisees and professional advisers. The federal waiting period is 14 calendar days, not business days; the FTC Franchise Rule FAQs explain current-document and update rights.