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FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a 1-800 Radiator & A/C Franchise

1-800 Radiator & A/C is a wholesale automotive parts distribution franchise founded in 1983 and now operating within the Driven Brands portfolio, alongside Meineke, MAACO, and CARSTAR. Franchisees run warehouse-based operations, distributing radiators, condensers, A/C components, fan assemblies, fuel pumps, and a growing range of related parts to commercial automotive businesses across a protected territory.

The business model is B2B distribution rather than retail. The typical territory covers approximately 1,000 automotive businesses as active customers: independent repair shops, body and collision shops, parts stores, new and used car dealers, and junk yards. Customers return repeatedly for parts needed on short notice, giving franchisees a recurring revenue base.

A fully integrated proprietary software system underpins the model: inventory algorithms optimize stock sourced from more than 100 manufacturers, a CRM component tracks every customer interaction, and logistics are engineered to deliver parts within one to two hours of a call. The corporate team also maintains tools to identify competitor businesses and integrate their customer accounts into the nearest franchisee territory.

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Why buy a 1-800 Radiator & A/C Franchise?

Deciding to buy a 1-800 Radiator & A/C franchise means entering a well-established B2B distribution brand in the automotive aftermarket, a sector that has proved resilient across economic cycles because vehicle maintenance is non-discretionary. The Driven Brands parent network provides purchasing leverage that a standalone distributor could not replicate, and the proprietary software system creates a meaningful competitive edge over local incumbents without equivalent technology.

The recurring revenue structure is supported by high switching costs: once a repair shop or collision center depends on same-day, within-the-hour delivery from a well-stocked partner, the relationship tends to be sticky. The corporate acquisition program gives franchisees a growth pathway beyond organic sales, absorbing competitor customer accounts and phone numbers directly into the nearest territory.

1-800 Radiator & A/C Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1982

    • Franchising Since

      2004

    • New Startup Cost

      $463,500 – $1,314,000

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $45,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $20,000

    • Royalty Fee

      8%

      of Gross Sales

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      194

    • New Units Opened *

      0

    • Units Transferred *

      17

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $1,894,524

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

1-800 Radiator & A/C – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Incoming owners receive two weeks of remote training followed by one week at corporate headquarters, covering market operations, customer relationships, the proprietary software platform, and territory development. Each franchisee is assigned a dedicated Account Manager for ongoing operational support, with corporate specialists available for inventory stocking and accounting. A call center at the corporate office in Benicia, California, operates seven days a week including holidays as a backup for unanswered customer calls. Resale buyers should confirm with the franchisor what onboarding and system access are provided to incoming ownership.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The brand suits owners without automotive industry experience; the proprietary software and account management structure are built to guide operational decisions. The ideal operator is sales-oriented and comfortable building B2B relationships with local repair shops, dealerships, and body shops, since the model depends on maintaining and growing a recurring commercial account base. Strong organizational skills are needed to manage delivery staff, coordinate inventory, and track customer activity through the system's CRM. An interest in local market development will serve owners well in this territory-based distribution model.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    1-800 Radiator & A/C has been recognized in Entrepreneur magazine's Top 50 Fastest-Growing Franchises, where it ranked 37th nationally. The brand is a member of the International Franchise Association and is listed in the Franchise Registry. Operating within the Driven Brands portfolio adds group-level credibility; Driven Brands is among the largest automotive franchise companies in North America, with a portfolio spanning vehicle care, paint, and parts distribution. The franchisor hosts an annual conference where top-performing owners receive the Franchisee of the Year award.

  4. Industry / Market

    The US light vehicle automotive aftermarket is projected to reach $435 billion in 2025, growing above pre-pandemic rates according to the Auto Care Association. Demand is driven by an aging national vehicle fleet and rising maintenance spending as owners extend vehicle life. The wholesale distribution segment serves professional repair shops, dealerships, and body shops directly, tying franchise revenue to local repair shop density and volume rather than consumer retail trends. Resale buyers should assess the vitality of the local repair business base in any target territory.

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