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.

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

Franchise Costs


Franchise Fee
$45,000
Item 5 of FDD
Initial Investment Range
$463,500 $1,314,000
Low: $463,500High: $1,314,000
Item 7 of FDD
Royalty Rate
8.00%
of gross sales
Brand Fund
1.50%
Item 6 of FDD
Fixed Monthly Fees
$274 – $2,506
Item 6 of FDD

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
$0
Median Gross Revenue
$0
EBITDA Margin
0%
Top Quartile Revenue
$0
Bottom Quartile Revenue
$0
Average Gross Profit
$0
Average EBITDA
$0

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

How 1-800-Radiator & A/C Compares


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
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$550K – $680K$135K50.0%302
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE$530K – $645K$135K50.0%265
TOMMY'S EXPRESS$5.0M – $8.5M$50K4.0%206
Automotive Services Average
24 franchises
$442K – $985K$47K12.8%

* 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

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.

Franchisee Contacts


201 franchisee contacts on file from official FDD filings.

NameSBA Loan
John Smith
ABC Franchise LLC
$350,000
2023 · Active
John Smith
ABC Franchise LLC
$350,000
2023 · Active
John Smith
ABC Franchise LLC
$350,000
2023 · Active
John Smith
ABC Franchise LLC
$350,000
2023 · Active
John Smith
ABC Franchise LLC
$350,000
2023 · Active

201 Contacts Available

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

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

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.

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