1-800-Radiator

The vendor opportunity at 1-800-Radiator

1-800-Radiator operates 194 total locations, 193 of which are franchised. This represents a concentrated addressable market for software vendors, though the unit count is modest compared to larger franchise systems. The system is part of Driven Systems LLC, a subsidiary of Driven Brands, a large automotive services platform. The royalty rate is 8.0%, and the initial franchise term runs for 20 years. Average unit volume (AUV) is not disclosed in the most recent FDD.

The operator footprint is small and concentrated. The FDD maps 1 operator, who is a single-unit owner, with a unit located in Wisconsin. There are no multi-unit operators with 2 or more locations in the disclosed data. This structure means a sale to the franchisor effectively covers the entire system, but the total license count is capped at 193 units.

Who controls software purchasing

Purchasing decisions are centralized at the parent-company level. The FDD lists Driven Brands executives as the officers of 1-800-Radiator. Jonathan Fitzpatrick serves as Manager and CEO. The key executives for a software vendor to engage are Gary W. Ferrera, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Kyle Marshall, President of Platform Services. Scott O'Melia holds the General Counsel and Secretary roles. Daniel Rivera is the Chief Operating Officer of Driven Brands. Because the system mandates specific technology, any pitch must align with the strategic priorities of this HQ team.

Mandated and current tech stack

The franchise system mandates two core systems. The first is the proprietary 1-800-Radiator Wizmo® system. The second is a Delivery Logistics Platform. The specific vendor providing the logistics platform is not named in the FDD. For a software vendor, this creates a clear integration or displacement target. The mandate means franchisees cannot independently adopt alternative software, making the franchisor the sole buyer.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

Details on the procurement model from Item 8 are not available in the current data extract. It is unknown whether the system uses a designated supplier, approved supplier, or open procurement model for non-mandated services. Renewal conditions, however, are explicit. Franchisees must provide 12 months' notice, have no material defaults, and must modernize their warehouse, vehicles, and other equipment to renew for a successive 20-year term. This modernization clause may create periodic opportunities for vendors whose products align with infrastructure or operational upgrades.

How to read the 1-800-Radiator FDD

The 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document provides the legal and operational blueprint for the system. It details the mandated Wizmo® technology, the 20-year contractual term, and the centralized management structure under Driven Brands. The full document is embedded below for your detailed review. For vendors building a ranked target list of franchise systems, understanding these mandates and the HQ-controlled buying center is the first step.