MAACO
MAACO is an American franchised network specializing in automotive collision repair and vehicle painting.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
MAACO is an American automotive aftermarket brand and franchisor known primarily for collision repair, vehicle painting, and related body-shop services. The business was founded in 1972 by Anthony A. Martino and Daniel I. Rhode. Martino had previously helped establish AAMCO Transmissions, an automotive service franchise whose name was also built around his initials. After selling his interest in AAMCO in 1967, Martino developed a separate concept focused on automobile painting and opened a pilot center in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1972. The name MAACO was derived from “Martino, Anthony A. and Co.” and was selected in part to benefit from the credibility that Martino’s earlier franchising success had created among prospective operators. The company expanded rapidly through franchising. Within fewer than five years, it had opened close to 200 franchise locations, establishing a broad national presence in a sector that was becoming increasingly organized around branded repair networks. MAACO’s core proposition has been to provide standardized, accessible repair and refinishing services through independently operated franchise shops rather than through a single centrally owned chain. Its work commonly includes accident-related body repair, dent and scratch repair, paint refinishing, vehicle appearance restoration, and estimates for insurance or retail customers. Brand recognition has been strongly supported by advertising. During the 1980s and 1990s, MAACO television and radio commercials repeatedly used the slogan “Uh oh, better get Maaco,” associating the company with the moment when a vehicle needs quick or affordable bodywork. Although the slogan was not used continuously during the 2010s, it remained part of the brand’s long-running identity and continued to be used in later marketing. The company has also received repeated recognition in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 surveys as a leading automotive body-shop franchise, according to the cited Wikipedia account. MAACO’s history has included both commercial expansion and public scrutiny. In 1993, a MAACO franchise in Framingham, Massachusetts, won a painting contract for Massachusetts State Police cruisers. A Boston newspaper subsequently reported that some shops involved in the contract were wholly or partly owned by Jane Gnazzo, the wife of Jerold Gnazzo, then the state’s registrar of motor vehicles. The reported relationship generated controversy concerning the award and potential conflicts of interest, although the available reference material does not establish a criminal finding against MAACO. Following Anthony Martino’s death in January 2008, Driven Brands, a Charlotte-based automotive-service holding company, purchased MAACO outright from Martino’s family in October 2008. The reported transaction terms were not disclosed. The acquisition placed MAACO alongside other automotive service concepts in the Driven Brands portfolio, including Meineke Car Care Centers and Econo Lube. Under Driven Brands, MAACO has continued operating as a branded franchise system focused on collision repair and auto painting. The brand has also pursued sports sponsorship as a visibility and customer-recognition strategy. From 2009 through 2012, it sponsored the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas, reportedly at an annual sponsorship cost of approximately $1 million. The sponsorship linked the brand to college football and broadened its exposure beyond automotive-service advertising. Today, MAACO remains positioned as a nationally recognized, franchise-based collision repair and auto-painting provider serving vehicle owners, insurers, fleets, and other commercial customers.
History
MAACO emerged from Anthony A. Martino’s earlier experience in automotive franchising. A decade before MAACO was founded, Martino had launched AAMCO Transmissions with Robert Morgan. The AAMCO name was built from Martino’s initials, a naming approach that was later echoed in MAACO. By 1967, AAMCO had grown to nearly 500 locations, and Martino sold the business to Morgan. In 1972, Martino opened a pilot automotive painting center in Wilmington, Delaware. The new venture was named MAACO, derived from “Martino, Anthony A. and Co.” The choice of name also helped communicate continuity with Martino’s earlier franchising success to potential franchisees. The concept expanded rapidly, reaching close to 200 franchises within less than five years. Its model focused on franchised shops providing vehicle painting and collision-related bodywork to a broad consumer market. During the 1980s and 1990s, MAACO developed one of the more recognizable advertising identities in the automotive repair category. Its commercials used the slogan “Uh oh, better get Maaco,” a concise phrase intended to connect the brand with the need for prompt repair after a collision or other vehicle damage. The company’s advertising helped turn the brand name into a familiar national reference point. MAACO was also repeatedly recognized by Entrepreneur magazine in its Franchise 500 surveys as a leading auto body-shop franchise, according to the cited reference. The company encountered controversy in 1993 after a Massachusetts franchise won a contract to paint Massachusetts State Police cruisers. Reporting by a Boston newspaper alleged that certain shops involved in the work were owned wholly or partly by Jane Gnazzo, whose husband, Jerold Gnazzo, was the state’s registrar of motor vehicles. The relationship raised questions about the procurement process and possible conflicts of interest. The available source describes the controversy but does not provide a definitive adjudication or financial consequence. Anthony Martino died in January 2008. Later that year, in October, Driven Brands purchased MAACO outright from Martino’s family. Driven Brands was based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and already owned or operated several automotive-service concepts, including Meineke Car Care Centers and Econo Lube. The parties did not disclose the financial terms. The transaction shifted MAACO from family ownership into a larger multi-brand automotive-service group while preserving its identity as a franchise system. MAACO expanded its public profile through sports marketing as well. It sponsored the Las Vegas Bowl from 2009 to 2012, during which time the event was known as the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas. The sponsorship was reported at about $1 million per year and connected the brand with nationally televised college football. MAACO remains an active automotive aftermarket brand under Driven Brands. Its business centers on franchised collision repair and auto-painting locations, serving individual vehicle owners as well as insurance and commercial customers. The brand’s historical identity rests on three main elements: Martino’s early automotive-franchise experience, rapid growth through franchising, and memorable advertising that made the MAACO name widely recognizable.
- 2012
Las Vegas Bowl sponsorship concludes
[1]The four-year MAACO sponsorship of the Las Vegas Bowl ended.
- 2009
Las Vegas Bowl sponsorship begins
[1]MAACO became title sponsor of the Las Vegas Bowl, beginning a sponsorship that continued through 2012.
- 2008
Driven Brands acquisition
[1]Driven Brands acquired MAACO from the family of founder Anthony A. Martino. The transaction terms were not disclosed.
- 1993
Massachusetts State Police contract controversy
[1]A MAACO franchise won a vehicle-painting contract involving Massachusetts State Police cruisers, leading to controversy over reported ownership links involving the state motor-vehicle registrar’s family.
- 1977
Rapid franchise expansion
[1]MAACO had opened close to 200 franchises within less than five years of its founding.
- 1972
MAACO is founded
[1]Anthony A. Martino and Daniel I. Rhode established the MAACO automotive painting and collision-repair concept, beginning with a pilot center in Wilmington, Delaware.
- 1967
Martino sells AAMCO
[1]After AAMCO Transmissions grew to nearly 500 locations, Anthony A. Martino sold the business to partner Robert Morgan.
Products and positioning
A nationally recognized, franchise-based automotive repair brand positioned around accessible collision repair, vehicle painting, and standardized body-shop services.
Automotive repair service · 1972
Collision repair
MAACO’s central service category covers repair of vehicles damaged in collisions. Franchise locations may assess damage, replace or repair affected body components, restore panels, and prepare vehicles for refinishing. The service is directed at private motorists, insurance-related repair work, and other customers seeking branded body-shop assistance.
Automotive appearance service · 1972
Auto painting and refinishing
Vehicle painting was the original focus of the MAACO concept. Its franchise shops provide repainting and refinishing intended to restore a vehicle’s appearance after collision damage, weathering, scratches, dents, or broader cosmetic deterioration. The category remains central to the brand’s name recognition and historical advertising.
Automotive body repair
Dent, scratch, bumper, and panel repair
MAACO locations also provide smaller-scale body repairs associated with everyday vehicle damage, including dents, scratches, bumpers, and exterior panels. These services extend the brand beyond major collision work and support customers seeking cosmetic restoration or targeted repairs rather than a complete vehicle repaint.
Controversies
1993
Massachusetts State Police cruiser contract controversy
After a MAACO franchise won a contract to paint Massachusetts State Police cruisers, a Boston newspaper reported that some participating shops were wholly or partly owned by Jane Gnazzo, the wife of Jerold Gnazzo, the state’s registrar of motor vehicles. The report prompted controversy concerning potential conflicts of interest in the contract process. The available reference does not state that MAACO was found liable for wrongdoing.
Marketing campaigns
- 2009Maaco Bowl Las Vegas sponsorship
United States
MAACO became title sponsor of the Las Vegas Bowl, using college football to expand national brand exposure beyond automotive-service advertising.
Outcome. The event carried the MAACO name from 2009 through 2012; the sponsorship was reported at approximately $1 million per year.
- 1980“Uh oh, better get Maaco” advertising campaign
United States
MAACO used television and radio advertising built around the slogan “Uh oh, better get Maaco,” presenting the brand as a familiar solution when a vehicle required collision repair or painting.
Outcome. The slogan became a durable element of MAACO’s public identity and remained in use, with interruptions, into later periods.
Brand decisions
2009
College football title sponsorshipOtherBackground
MAACO sought broader consumer visibility through a national sports property.
Action taken
The company became title sponsor of the Las Vegas Bowl.
Aftermath
The event was branded the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas through 2012. The sponsorship was reported at approximately $1 million annually.
Reported annual sponsorship cost. $1 million per year (2009–2012)
2008
Sale of MAACO to Driven BrandsM&ABackground
Following founder Anthony A. Martino’s death in January 2008, MAACO remained with his family until Driven Brands pursued an acquisition.
Action taken
Driven Brands purchased MAACO outright from Martino’s family in October 2008.
Aftermath
MAACO became part of Driven Brands’ broader portfolio of automotive-service concepts. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Recent events
Sources3 sources
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