Large Independent MSOs are Not Standing Still, Says Focus Advisors

Independent MSOs are making moves as 13 non-dealer MSOs with at least eight locations have added at least one store between October 2025 and April 2026, according to a report from Focus Advisors.

A review of Focus Advisors’ proprietary location data shows the growth spanned franchise operators, family-owned groups, and regional platforms across multiple states. 

The standout is G&C Auto Body, which added six collision repair locations in six months to reach 58 locations. Mid-size operators such as B Street and Better Collision grew by 25% in the same window. They are building regional density with clear intent. 

In its 2025 Year in Review, Focus Advisors reflected on cyclical weakness and structural headwinds operating simultaneously. The Big 4 Consolidators — Caliber, Gerber, Classic Collision, and Crash Champions — have been digesting large platform acquisitions and navigating integration complexity. Private equity appetite for collision remains strong, but deployment has been measured. Sometimes growth is easier in a market experiencing lower performance: seller expectations moderate, competition for targets thins, and well capitalized regional operators can move decisively. 

For single-location and small multi-shop owners, the implication is worth noting: the buyer universe is wider than it was three years ago. A well-run shop in the right market may find that its most natural acquirer is not a national platform, but a regional MSO looking to fill in a cluster it already knows. 

Focus Advisors will continue to track these trends in its quarterly location data. For now, the takeaway is clear: the large independents are not standing still, and the implications extend well beyond their own balance sheets.