The vendor opportunity at 1-800-Radiator & AC
1-800-Radiator & AC operates 194 total locations, 193 of which are franchised. That gives software vendors an addressable base of 193 units, all under a franchisor that mandates specific technology. Average unit volume sits at $1,894,524, and the royalty rate is 8%. The initial franchise term is 20 years. Year-over-year unit growth is essentially flat at -0.515%, meaning the network is stable rather than expanding rapidly. For a vendor, this is a replacement and compliance-driven sales environment, not a greenfield build-out.
Who controls software purchasing
The 2026 FDD makes clear that technology decisions flow from the franchisor. The mandated Wizmo® Software System* is listed as a required platform, which signals that the franchisor selects and enforces core operational software. While our database does not contain specific HQ executive names, the mandate itself tells vendors that the buying center is centralized. Any pitch should be directed at the franchisor’s operations or IT leadership, not at individual franchisees.
Mandated and current tech stack
The only technology explicitly mandated in the 2026 FDD is the Wizmo® Software System*. No additional POS, CRM, inventory, or accounting platforms are disclosed as required. This does not mean other tools are absent; it means the franchisor has chosen to codify only this system in the disclosure document. Vendors offering complementary or replacement solutions should investigate whether Wizmo® covers functions like scheduling, invoicing, or parts lookup, and position accordingly.
Procurement, renewals, and timing
The Item 8 procurement extract available to us does not describe a designated-supplier or approved-supplier model. Without that detail, vendors should assume a more open procurement environment unless the franchisor indicates otherwise during discovery. Renewal terms are more revealing. The 20-year agreement requires 12 months’ notice, no material defaults, full monetary compliance, additional training, and modernization of the warehouse, vehicles, and equipment. The renewal may also require signing a materially different contract. These conditions create natural technology review points: when a franchisee approaches renewal, they must modernize, and that modernization often includes software. With flat unit growth, renewal cycles are likely the most predictable trigger for new vendor conversations.
How to read the 1-800-Radiator & AC FDD
The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document is embedded below. Focus on Item 11 for the franchisor’s technology obligations and Item 17 for renewal and modernization requirements. Item 8 will clarify supplier relationships, though our extract lacks that detail. The document was filed with state franchise regulators in 2026 and reflects the system as it stands today: a mature, centrally controlled network with high per-unit revenue and a long-term contractual structure. For vendors who sell into franchise systems, this FDD is the primary source of truth on who buys, what they must use, and when they are most likely to switch. If you need a ranked target list of similar franchise systems, FranCloud can build one for you.