MDSA

The vendor opportunity at MDSA

MDSA operates in the automotive services segment with a network of 92 total units, 90 of which are franchised. The system generated an average unit volume (AUV) of $2,279,378, according to the 2026 FDD. For software vendors, the immediate addressable market is those 90 franchised locations, though the 2 company-owned units may also fall under HQ technology mandates. The franchise is concentrated in Texas (18 units), Florida (10), Wisconsin (8), Ohio (8), and California (7), giving vendors a clear geographic prioritization map. The operator base consists of 159 mapped operators, with 10 multi-unit operators controlling between 2 and 9 units each. No single operator dominates the system, as the largest tier (10-24 units) shows zero operators, meaning influence remains fragmented but ultimately subject to HQ control.

Who controls software purchasing

The 2026 FDD Item 1 lists the executive team that vendors need to engage. Joshua A. D’Agostino serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, representing the ultimate decision-maker for enterprise-wide technology contracts. Sean Milligan holds the title of Vice President of Product Management and Information, making him the most direct point of contact for software evaluations and stack strategy. Chris L. Adams, Chief Revenue Officer, and Gerald G. Vann, Vice President of Product Strategy, may also influence tools that impact revenue operations or product delivery. Carmen M. Strickland, Vice President of Franchise Success, likely holds sway over any technology that affects franchisee operations or compliance. Because the franchisor mandates several core systems, the decision-making model is mixed: HQ dictates the primary stack, but franchisees may have some discretion over recommended but non-mandated tools like QuickBooks and Pacesetter.

Mandated and current tech stack

MDSA’s Item 11 technology obligations are explicit. Three systems are mandated across the network: Autopart, FRANAD, and M-PACT. Autopart likely serves as the core parts and inventory management platform, while FRANAD and M-PACT may cover franchise administration, marketing, or compliance functions. Additionally, the franchisor recommends Pacesetter and QuickBooks by Intuit Inc., suggesting that financial management and possibly additional operational workflows are standardized but not strictly enforced. For a software vendor, this stack reveals both barriers and entry points. Any product competing directly with Autopart, FRANAD, or M-PACT faces a high displacement hurdle and must justify a system-wide migration. Conversely, tools that integrate with or complement these mandated platforms—especially in areas like advanced analytics, customer engagement, or multi-unit reporting—may find a receptive audience, particularly if they can demonstrate value to the 10 multi-unit operators.

Procurement, renewals, and timing

The available FDD extract does not include Item 8 procurement language, so the exact supplier designation process is not disclosed in the most recent filing. However, the existence of three mandated systems strongly implies a designated-supplier or approved-supplier model, where HQ controls vendor selection and franchisees must comply. Vendors should prepare for a formal RFP or pilot process managed by Sean Milligan’s team. Contract timing signals come from Item 17. The initial franchise term is 10 years, with renewals offered for 5-year periods, provided the franchisee submits written notice, complies with the Franchise Agreement, signs a new agreement, and pays a renewal fee. The FDD also notes that 1-year extensions may be granted if renewal requirements are not fully met. These renewal cycles create natural windows when franchisees may be required to adopt updated technology as a condition of their new agreement, making the 5-year renewal mark a critical trigger for vendor conversations.

How to read the MDSA FDD

The MDSA FDD is filed with state franchise regulators and contains the legal disclosures that govern the franchise relationship. For software vendors, the most actionable sections are Item 11 (mandated technology and equipment), Item 8 (procurement restrictions), and Item 1 (executive team and corporate structure). The 2026 filing confirms that MDSA appears independently owned, with no parent company on file, meaning decisions are made internally without a larger corporate hierarchy. The embedded PDF viewer below provides the full document for your due diligence. Review Item 8 carefully to confirm whether the franchisor operates as a designated supplier, and cross-reference Item 17 renewal conditions to time your outreach. For a ranked target list of franchise systems aligned to your software category, FranCloud can help you prioritize based on technology mandates, unit growth, and decision-maker accessibility.