ChatGPTClaudeCursorGemini
The only franchise database you can use inside ChatGPT, Claude & Cursor. Learn more →

1,700+ FDDs structured for franchise professionals

We extract fees, Item 19 financials, franchisee contacts, SBA default rates, litigation, and outlet data from every FDD — so you can compare brands in minutes, not months. Used by multi-unit operators, consultants, and franchise development teams.

1-800-Radiator & A/C

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.

193locations
$464K–$1314K
Since 2004
ServicesBenicia, CADriven Brands, Inc.www.1800radiator.comDisclaimer

Loading preview...

Unlock FDD download

Download this + 1,700 other FDDs · One-time purchase

Franchise Costs

Franchise Fee
$45,000
Initial Investment
$463,500 – $1,314,000
Royalty Rate
8.00%
Brand Fund
1.50%
Fixed Monthly Fees
$274 – $2,506

8% royalty + 2% total marketing (1.5% national system + 0.5% local) + $275-$2,500/mo fixed fees incl. phone system ($80/agent/mo), technology ($145-$165/user/yr), delivery logistics ($70-$550/mo), and email ($10/address/mo)

Financial Performance


Item 19 Financial Performance

Average Gross Revenue
$1,894,524
Median Gross Revenue
$1,473,568
EBITDA Margin
8%
Top Quartile Revenue
$2,762,852
Bottom Quartile Revenue
$872,011
Average Gross Profit
$1,091,927
Average EBITDA
$167,319

Data Based On: 189 franchised 1-800-RADIATOR & A/C® Warehouses that operated during the 12 accounting periods ended December 28, 2024 for revenue and KPI data. A separate survey of 112 franchised warehouses provided expense and EBITDA data.

* Average Gross Revenue, Median Gross Revenue, Revenue Top Quartile, and Revenue Bottom Quartile are based on "Total Sales ***" from the table on page 3, representing 189 franchised warehouses operating in 2024. 'Total Sales' is defined as net sales to Metro and Non-Metro Customers, excluding inter-warehouse inventory transfers. Average Gross Profit, Average EBITDA, and EBITDA Margin % are based on the 'SALES TO COST ANALYSIS' table on page 7, representing 112 franchised warehouses surveyed in 2024. These figures are based on 'Sales + DW Income', which includes DW revenues earned by marking up inventory and selling to neighboring warehouses. Gross Profit is explicitly stated as $1,091,927. EBITDA is explicitly stated as $167,319. EBITDA Margin % is explicitly stated as 8%. Best guess profit range is estimated using the reported Average EBITDA ($167,319) as no explicit average profit range was provided and it represents profit after most operating expenses.

Extracted Item 19 Section

Avg. Revenue: $1,894,524

Unlock financial performance data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports

Unlock financial performance data

1-800-Radiator & A/C Franchise Analysis

Picture stepping into the auto parts world where repair shops and fleets turn for radiators and A/C units—1-800-Radiator & A/C has built a warehouse network since 2004 under Driven Brands. Their 2025 FDD drops Item 19 financials that highlight revenue consistency amid market shifts, plus SBA loan data revealing financing realities. But with slight system contraction and high transfer activity, does this distributor model reward operators who scale logistics right?

Item 7 lays out the initial investment from $463,500 to $1,314,000, covering warehouse setup, inventory, and vehicles for a distribution-focused operation targeting repair shops and retail. Franchise fee is $45,000, royalties run 8%, plus 2% total marketing (1.5% national, 0.5% local) and fixed fees like $275-$2,500 monthly for phone, tech, logistics, and email. Item 19 shines here: average gross revenue $1,894,524, median $1,473,568, but EBITDA margin sits at 0%, with estimated profit pinned at $167,319—pointing to tight margins where volume drives success, not easy upsell.

System health shows 193 franchised locations (one corporate), down 1% from 194 in 2023, with just 1 termination but 17 transfers and 2 projected new units. SBA stats bolster credibility: 44 loans averaging $462,607 and a low 4.5% default rate, aligning with investment size for resale or startup options. For buyers eyeing automotive services, this mature brand offers proven revenue scale if you nail supply chain efficiency, though flat growth and zero EBITDA suggest watching parent Driven Brands' strategy closely.

Analysis based on the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document. All figures should be independently verified before making investment decisions.

How 1-800-Radiator & A/C Compares

Key Insights

  • Higher investment than 79% of Automotive Services franchises
  • Top 10 largest franchise system in Automotive Services
  • Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Automotive Services
FranchiseInvestmentFeeRoyaltyLocations
1-800-Radiator & A/C
Current
$464K – $1.3M$45K8.0%193
Tire Pros$12K – $137K$7KN/A644
MICHELIN RETREAD TECHNOLOGIES (MICHELIN COMMERCIAL SERVICE NETWORK)$189K – $4.3M$3KN/A340
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE$515K – $650K$85K50.0%302
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE$530K – $645K$135K50.0%265
TOMMY'S EXPRESS$5.0M – $8.5M$50K4.0%206
Automotive Services Average
24 franchises
$456K – $1.0M$45K12.8%

* 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 (2024)

Outlets by state across the United States

Top States
1CA
24
2TX
19
3FL
14
4NJ
8
5NY
8
6VA
7
7PA
7
8NC
6
9IL
6
10SC
5
11AZ
5
12MD
5
13WA
5
14GA
5
15MO
4

+28 more states

Unlock location growth data with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports

Unlock location growth data

SBA Loan History


Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchisees (20102024)

Total Loans
44
Average Loan
$462,607
Total Volume
$20.4M
Default Rate
4.5%

Loans by Year

SBA 7(a) loan activity over time

* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.

44 SBA loans on record

Unlock SBA loan history with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports

Unlock SBA loan history

Franchisee Contacts

201 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.

201 Contacts Available

Unlock all 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchisee contacts with verified contact information

Unlock contacts

Due Diligence


Litigation (Item 3)

Franchisee Cases0
No litigation involving franchisees reported

Bankruptcy (Item 4)

Bankruptcy HistoryNo
No bankruptcy history reported

System Health (Item 20)

Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year

Terminations
1
Non-Renewals
0
Reacquired
0
Ceased Ops
0
Transfers
17
Sold to Franchisees
0
Projected New
2

Unlock due diligence reports with full access to 1,700+ franchise reports

Unlock due diligence reports

Frequently Asked Questions

The total initial investment to open a 1-800-Radiator & A/C franchise ranges from $463,500 to $1,314,000. This includes a franchise fee of $45,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 8.0% of gross sales.