TL;DR
In short: The Jim’s Car Detailing franchise combines a flat monthly fee (about $850) with optional pay-per-lead (about $18 per new lead). Ali Olmez explains how the Jim’s Group lead system, training, and ceramic coating process support consistent work and higher-value jobs.
BLUF: In this Jim’s Podcast episode, Ali Olmez from Jim’s Car Detailing (Mooroolbark), who started as a Jim’s Carpet Cleaning franchisee in 1997, now leads the division. He breaks down the fee model (about $850 a month plus $18 per new lead) and the technical method franchisees use to win premium work, including paint correction before applying ceramic coating through Nasiol.
A Jim’s Car Detailing franchise runs on a simple idea: cover the marketing and support costs with a flat monthly fee, then let franchisees choose whether to pay per lead for extra work. Ali says the division passed 200 franchisees after hitting 100 post-COVID and doubling again in the last three years. This article covers the fee breakdown, the lead numbers, the training, and the ceramic coating process.
Watch the full episode below, or keep reading for the key takeaways.
How Does A Jim’s Car Detailing Franchise Generate Enough Work?
Ali says growth accelerated because the division had “thousands of unserviced work” in multiple regions. More franchisees meant more capacity to take the jobs.
Ali also says customers see results straight away. That visibility helps franchisees build repeat work, which matters because he recommends building 60% to 70% of the diary on regular customers.
If you want the broader franchise context, start with own a Jim’s franchise and read how franchising fees work.
Why Do People Switch Into A Jim’s Car Detailing Franchise?
Ali says most franchisees “come from all sorts of backgrounds”, not the detailing industry. He mentions examples like a lawyer and people choosing a semi-retirement lifestyle.
The common frustration shows up in lead generation. Ali says new business owners can waste money “getting it wrong” on advertising, then repeat the same mistakes for years.
Jim’s gives people a different starting point. Franchisees learn the craft through training and a lead system, so they can focus on customer service and delivery.
What Does Ceramic Coating Actually Do?
Ali describes ceramic coating as “an invisible layer on top of your car paint” that buys time against bird droppings and UV damage. He says many coatings now come with three or five-year warranties.
Ali also gives a practical benchmark. With maintenance, he says a coating should last “at least a minimum of three years”.
He draws a hard line on quality. He says the most important step is “one step before”, with preparation and paint correction, and the prep changes depending on the car’s condition, colour, and age.
Pro tips from Ali’s process:
- Do the paint correction before the coating, not after.
- Match the prep to the car, not your schedule.
- Talk maintenance early, because it affects the three-year minimum.
What Do The Fees And Support Actually Include?
Ali says the total monthly fees sit at “about $850”. He says that covers advertising, call centre, admin, technology, and other included costs.
On top of that, franchisees can buy new leads. Ali says that it sits at “about $18 per lead”, and a lead can turn into a “$100 job”, a “$1,000 job,” or an ongoing contract worth “$10,000” across the year.
Ali also shares the lead handling numbers:
- A 15% discount on leads.
- A target conversion rate of around 85%.
- Many franchisees sit in the 70% to 90% conversion range.
Ali points to outcomes as proof. He says 95% of Jim’s franchisees succeed within their first 12 months, and he contrasts that with 95% of ABN-registered businesses failing within their first 12 months.
He also talks about stability. The pay-for-work guarantee in Jim’s Car Detailing “varies from $1,500 to $2,000 a week”, and he says it is rare for franchisees to earn below that.
Training and support back those numbers. Ali describes a three-day training program and ongoing help through group chats, where trainers and experienced franchisees answer questions fast.
For more details, see Jim’s franchisee training. For earnings context across the network, read how much you can earn with a Jim’s franchise.
How Does Mobile Detailing Fit Australian Conditions?
Ali describes a job mix that ranges from “every day, mum and dad” to office sites doing “six cars, eight cars”, plus fleet work with “30, 40, 50 vehicles”.
He also shares a Perth example. A basic wash lead for Bunnings rentals started “about five years ago”, expanded across Perth, then went national, and now includes New Zealand, including Auckland.
Marketing spend also changes by region. Ali says that in Melbourne, “this year we spent an additional $180,000 than what we’ve collected” to keep enough work flowing.
| Feature | Standard Independent Contractor | Jim’s Professional Standard |
| Marketing spend | Can test ads with $50 to $100 and still miss “10 leads”. | Pays about $850 a month for marketing and support, then buys leads as needed. |
| Lead cost | No fixed price and no discount. | Pays about $18 per new lead, with a 15% discount. |
| Conversion targets | No shared benchmark. | Targets around 85% conversion, with many sitting in the 70% to 90% range. |
| Stability floor | No pay-for-work guarantee. | Has a pay-for-work guarantee of $1,500 to $2,000 a week. |
| Job mix | Can win fleets, but needs reach to land them regularly. | Supports work from single cars to office runs of six to eight cars and fleets of 30 to 50 vehicles. |
“Ali Olmez, Jim’s Car Detailing franchisee in Mooroolbark: ‘I have never seen a franchisee fail if they get two things right, which are customer service and pay-for-work guarantee.’“
FAQ: Jim’s Car Detailing Franchise Costs, Leads, And Training
Ali says the total monthly fees sit at about $850 and cover advertising, call centre, admin, technology, and other included costs. Franchisees can then choose whether to buy leads.
Ali says new leads cost about $18 per lead. He says the job value can range from $100 to $1,000, and some contracts can reach $10,000 across a year.
Ali says the target sits around 85% conversion. He also says many franchisees sit in the 70% to 90% range.
Ali says the pay-for-work guarantee varies from $1,500 to $2,000 a week. He also says franchisees rarely earn below that.
Ali says many coatings carry three or five-year warranties. With maintenance, he says a coating should last at least a minimum of three years.
Ali describes a three-day training program. He also describes ongoing support through group chats, with trainers and franchisees sharing fixes and product tips.
Ali says most franchisees come from different backgrounds, not the detailing industry. He says the system and training help new operators build skills while the lead engine supports the start-up phase.
Key Takeaways
- The division passed 200 franchisees after hitting 100 post-COVID and doubling again in the last three years.
- Ali describes a flat fee of about $850 a month, with leads at about $18 per new lead.
- Ali reports 70% to 90% conversion as common, with 85% as the target.
- The pay-for-work guarantee varies from $1,500 to $2,000 a week.
- Ceramic coating quality starts with prep, and Ali cites three to five-year warranties and a three-year minimum with maintenance.
Take The Next Step
Book A Detailer Who Follows A Proven Process
Choose a local owner-operator who quotes clearly and follows a consistent process, including proper prep before any coating work. Expect Jim’s professional standards backed by the Jim’s National Guarantee.
Request your free quote from Jim’s Car Detailing today.
Build A Detailing Business With Leads And Support Built In
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Learn more about joining Jim’s Group at jims.net or call 131 546 today.