1-800-Radiator & A/C
The 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchise operates distribution warehouses that sell radiators, condensers, air conditioning compressors, fan assemblies, fuel pumps, hoses, exhaust-related products and services, heavy duty hard parts, and other automotive and related parts, products, equipment, and services. Their business model involves franchising these warehouses, with options for start-up or re-sale locations, requiring significant initial investments. The target market includes automobile repair shops, parts stores, fleets, chain accounts, and retail consumers.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
8% royalty + 2% total marketing (1.5% system brand fund + 0.5% local) + $70-$550/mo delivery logistics platform fee
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 125 franchised outlets participated in a survey for 2023 for sales to cost analysis.
* The primary financial performance data, including average gross revenue, gross profit, and EBITDA, was extracted from the 'SALES TO COST ANALYSIS' (Part II) table on Page 7, which is based on a sample of 125 franchised units. This dataset provides a more comprehensive set of related income statement components (Sales, COGS, Gross Profit, EBITDA) compared to the 'KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS & MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS' (Part I) table for 188 units, which primarily focuses on KPIs. - **average_gross_revenue**: Taken from 'Sales + DW Income**' average of $2,295,161 for 125 units on Page 7. This includes total sales to Metro and Non-Metro Customers plus DW revenues. - **median_gross_revenue**: Taken from footnote ** for 'Sales + DW Income', which states the median was $1,822,390 for 125 units on Page 7. - **revenue_top_quartile** and **revenue_bottom_quartile**: Not explicitly provided as quartile averages for the 'Sales + DW Income' of the 125 units. While highest and lowest values are given, these are not quartile averages, so they are set to null. - **average_gross_profit**: Taken directly from 'Gross Profit' average of $1,142,054 for 125 units on Page 7. This value is consistent with 'Sales + DW Income' ($2,295,161) minus 'COGS' ($1,153,107) = $1,142,054. - **average_net_income** and **average_net_profit**: Set to null because the document explicitly states that EBITDA does not include depreciation, amortization, debt service, and certain general administrative costs (Page 9, Footnote 14), making it impossible to derive a reliable net income or net profit figure from the available information. - **average_ebitda**: Taken directly from 'EBITDA $***' average of $233,869 for 125 units on Page 7. - **ebitda_margin_pct**: Taken directly from 'EBITDA %' average of 10% (converted to 0.10) for 125 units on Page 7. This is consistent with average_ebitda / average_gross_revenue ($233,869 / $2,295,161 ≈ 0.1019). - **best_guess_profit_low** and **best_guess_profit_high**: Set to null due to the significant expenses explicitly excluded from EBITDA (depreciation, amortization, debt service, administrative costs) and the absence of a full profit and loss statement, which prevents a reasonable estimation of net profit range.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How 1-800-Radiator & A/C Compares to Other Automotive Services Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 83% of Automotive Services franchises
- Top 10 largest franchise system in Automotive Services
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Automotive Services
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1-800-Radiator & A/C Current | N/A | $45K | 8.0% | 194 |
| Tire Pros | $12K - $137K | $7K | N/A | 644 |
| MICHELIN RETREAD TECHNOLOGIES (MICHELIN COMMERCIAL SERVICE NETWORK) | $189K - $4.3M | $3K | N/A | 340 |
| CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE | $550K - $680K | $135K | 50.0% | 302 |
| CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE | $530K - $645K | $135K | 50.0% | 265 |
| TOMMY'S EXPRESS | $5.0M - $8.5M | $50K | 4.0% | 206 |
Automotive Services Average 24 franchises | $442K - $985K | $47K | 12.8% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 24 Automotive Services franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2023)
Outlets by state across the United States
+28 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchisees (2010 - 2024)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Breach of contract, fee disputes, and violations of California Franchise Investment Law and unfair competition claims by two individual franchisees; settled with mutual releases.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much revenue does a 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchise make?
According to the 2024 FDD, the average gross revenue for a 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchise is $2,295,161. The median revenue is $1,822,390.
How many 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchise locations are there?
As of the 2024 FDD, 1-800-Radiator & A/C has 194 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 2004.
Can you get an SBA loan for a 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchises. Historical data shows 44 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchisees, with an average loan amount of $462,607. The historical default rate is 4.5%.
Is 1-800-Radiator & A/C a good franchise to buy?
1-800-Radiator & A/C shows several positive indicators: established brand with 194+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19), low SBA loan default rate. However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
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