CGI International vs AlSet Auto

AlSet Auto's open, approved-supplier procurement model gives us direct line-of-sale to every franchised owner—no gatekeeper franchisor to convince first. That terrain advantage is amplified by a current 2025 FDD (filing status DUE) that signals a compliant, active franchisor and gives us reliable unit-level data for prospecting. CGI’s franchisor-controlled procurement, on the other hand, locks us into a top-down sale with a brand that can’t keep its FDD current—an overdue filing often betrays internal disarray or a stalled system. On timing and terrain alone, AlSet is the far cleaner entry.

Budget reinforces the direction. AlSet’s investment range of $103k–$179k points to full-service, equipment-heavy operations that typically need POS, scheduling, and inventory tools, and franchisees with that much skin in the game are more likely to pay for software that drives efficiency. CGI’s ultra-low AUV of ~$63k and rock-bottom investment floor of $63k suggest a lightweight, low-transaction model—perhaps mobile detailing or oil-change kiosks—where software spending will be minimal and hard to justify against 0% ad fund and a 4% royalty that already constrains franchisee margin.

The sobering tradeoff is TAM. AlSet’s system is tiny (10 franchised units) and shrinking 16.7% year-over-year, so the wallet is limited no matter how clean the sale. But CGI’s unit count isn’t even disclosed, and even a hypothetical 100-unit system would be behind a locked procurement door and a stale FDD that kills due diligence. Right now, a small, accessible, compliant target beats an unknown, closed, and compliance-risky one. We can harvest AlSet’s 10 units quickly and move on.

Verdict: AlSet Auto wins on terrain and timing, with a budget profile that fits our buyer persona, despite a dangerously small and contracting TAM.