Auto5 has 22 franchise centres and is seeking new partners

Auto5 continues to seek new franchise partners to expand its Belgian network. Following the recent opening of an automotive centre in Couillet, the chain has 57 locations, 22 of which are run by franchisees. These network figures were released on 2 November 2026 alongside the announcement that Auto5 had been voted ‘Favourite Brand’ in the car workshop category in an Ipsos survey.

Franchising accounts for a significant share of the network

Auto5’s Belgian network combines company-owned branches with independently operated franchise centres. Of its 57 workshops, 35 are company-operated and 22 are run by franchisees. Franchises therefore account for more than a third of all locations. For those considering the Belgian franchise market, this mix is particularly relevant: independent business owners have an established role within a brand that also operates its own automotive centres.

Auto5 is present in all three Belgian regions. Its network comprises 25 locations in Flanders, 26 in Wallonia and six in Brussels. The recent opening in Couillet brings the Belgian total to 57 automotive centres. These regional figures cover the entire network, including both company-owned branches and franchise centres.

Auto5 says it is actively seeking new franchise partners to support further expansion. The published figures describe the network’s current size; the search for partners is a separate ambition for future development. For prospective franchisees, the existing network provides a clear picture of the role franchising currently plays within the brand.

Shop and workshop under one roof

Auto5 has specialised in servicing, repairing and equipping vehicles of various makes since 1966. Its concept combines a shop with a workshop. Customers can visit for vehicle maintenance as well as products such as tyres, batteries, windscreen wipers, fluids and spare parts.

This combination is central to the brand’s positioning. Marketing director Jérémie Maseri links its recognition as a favourite brand to the shop-and-workshop format and the work of its teams. The offer is therefore not solely about selling car accessories or solely about servicing: both activities form part of the same proposition.

According to the published network figures, 600 employees serve 400,000 customers each year across Auto5’s Belgian automotive centres. One in five customers is a business customer. The service therefore caters to both private motorists and business users. These figures relate to the entire Belgian network and should not be interpreted as results for the franchise centres alone.

Support for independent operators

Under its franchise model, Auto5 provides support with purchasing, marketing, training and operational processes. These are the four areas of support the brand highlights in its call for new partners. Independent business owners can therefore develop their businesses within an established format, with guidance on various aspects of day-to-day management.

For prospective franchisees, these areas are also natural points for discussion. What purchasing support does a centre receive? How is marketing organised? What training is available, and how does operational guidance translate into day-to-day work on site? The support outlined provides a starting point for discussing the practical details of the partnership, beyond brand recognition alone.

Auto5 has been part of Mobivia since 2002. Its Belgian operation thus combines membership of a larger group with a local network of company-owned branches and independent operators. For entrepreneurs considering joining, the practical priority remains how their future automotive centre would operate.

Consumer recognition alongside further growth

The recent network update coincides with Auto5 being voted Belgian consumers’ ‘Favourite Brand’ in the car workshop category. According to the announcement, the award is based on research by Ipsos. The recognition reflects consumers’ appreciation of the brand, while the location figures provide insight into the network’s size and composition.

For prospective franchisees, these are different types of information. Consumer regard for a brand is relevant when assessing a franchise concept, but does not in itself indicate the performance of an individual location. The concrete franchise opportunity here lies in the existing 22 franchise centres and the active search for additional partners.

Practical advice: anyone considering an Auto5 franchise should ask for a detailed explanation of the advertised support with purchasing, marketing, training and business operations, and assess how it would apply to their proposed centre.