The cost of a 1800radiator franchise.

[Chris142]

I'm looking to find work that is easier on me. I'm a little old now to be in the heat all day. I come home absolutely wiped out after crawling around cars all day long.

Plus barely scraping by is getting old.

Looked into a 1800radiator franchise. I was good friends with the one we had years ago until they retired and moved away. I never asked them the specifics.

So I looked them up. Looks like you gotta have a lot of $$$ to get into that gig.

 

[dishdude]

As outdated as a Subway franchise.

 

[Chris142]

As outdated as a Subway franchise.

Why do you say that? Can you explain more?

 

[dishdude]

Why do you say that? Can you explain more?

Radiator shops went the way of generator shops. Napa, Autozone, etc. fill that gap.

 

[Chris142]

Radiator and A/C shops went the way of generator shops. Napa, Autozone, etc. fill that gap.

The only reason my old boss retired was he was old lol. We still had tons of radiator business. The auto parts stores don't sell new radiators for equipment,old cars ,semi trucks etc.

Plenty of radiator shops and alternator starter shops in my area.

 

[AZjeff]

No reason to get a franchise. You were thinking about this a while ago and backed away, if it's what you like to do and are good at it find a way to open a shop. You know the equipment and tools you'd need, do some research get some prices make a business plan and go to the bank if you think there's room for another radiator shop. Can you run a small business? Lots of good mechanics barely get by or fail because they aren't good with the financial part. I had an okay successful small business for almost 20 years and suck at the numbers but wife was good at it.

 

[Nukeman7]

Radiator shops went the way of generator shops. Napa, Autozone, etc. fill that gap.

Aren't the 1-800 Radiator franchises just parts stores that sell radiators and A/C components to repair shops and DIYer's? I don't think they perform any repair work at all.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Would you also fix / rebraze / boil out old / classic radiators? That could be a niche thing that might get you some business, maybe even national business if you market yourself right.

The biggest issue would be competing with Amazon radiators IMHO but if there is demand in your area, might be looking into.

 

[Sumboodie]

Radiator shops went the way of generator shops. Napa, Autozone, etc. fill that gap.

Can't buy new rads for some stuff, or it's big bucks.
Rad for a CAT D8 for example is something around 25k. A rebuilt "exchange" around $5000-6000

 

[skyactiv]

I would seriously look into getting on as a mechanic in the public sector unless the drive is that bad. You might be "vested" in a pension quick at your age and be able to retire before 65.
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sanbernardino?keywords=mechanic

 

[SC Maintenance]

The point of a franchise is for name brand recognition, and they do the marketing, etc. This can be really good in a city, but I wonder how beneficial in a rural area where everyone already knows everyone?

If you want to do commercial business mostly - which is likely a good idea - why not identify and drive around to all the local commercial places - have a flyer printed, introduce yourself and give them one. Local small businesses like to do business with other local small businesses.

 

[PandaBear]

There are not much value in franchises that does "industrial sales and repair" rather than consumer spendings like food and drinks establishments.

Everyone can buy a radiator and install it in a car, no need for a brand. If they want a brand they would either want the brand's dealer or some brands that have more frequent visits like tireshops. At least you replace your tires every 30-50k miles instead of every 150k miles, and you need to use tires even with EV unlike radiator shop.

 

[Number_35]

@Chris142, weren't you were looking at A/C repairs a couple of years ago?

You could still do that, and supplement it with rad/cooling system repairs.

 

[Chris142]

@Chris142, weren't you were looking at A/C repairs a couple of years ago?

You could still do that, and supplement it with rad/cooling system repairs.

Im getting real burned out of working myself to death in a 120 F shop.

 

[Chris142]

Would you also fix / rebraze / boil out old / classic radiators? That could be a niche thing that might get you some business, maybe even national business if you market yourself right.

The biggest issue would be competing with Amazon radiators IMHO but if there is demand in your area, might be looking into.

Most shops need parts now. Can't wait for rock auto or Amazon with a broken down family tearing up the waiting room while the car is being fixed.

 

[eljefino]

Most shops need parts now. Can't wait for rock auto or Amazon with a broken down family tearing up the waiting room while the car is being fixed.

What would your role be? Answer the phone, go into the stockroom, grab a rad, run it across town to the garage?

Who owns the radiators that are sitting there for years, not selling? Who pays the finance charges? How much more expensive are their radiators vs Chinese ones you can buy yourself? Where's the nearest adjacent 1800 Radiator franchisee? What would your territory be?

If you're just slinging parts, any monkey can do that. Since you want to repair, resolder radiators that seems way more specialized-- is 1800 radiator the appropriate partner?

I think it's time you and your coworkers have a chat with the boss about installing AC in your workshop areas.

 

[Number_35]

Im getting real burned out of working myself to death in a 120 F shop.

Thus your other thread about cooling down the garage at home?

It might be worth it to invest in insulation and cooling to allow you to run a business out of the garage.

 

[AZjeff]

It might be worth it to invest in insulation and cooling to allow you to run a business out of the garage.

Other than the minor detail if I remember he lives way out in the desert back a dirt road past the falling down mailboxes through a no trespassing gate at the end of a long private drive.

 

[Chris142]

Thus your other thread about cooling down the garage at home?

It might be worth it to invest in insulation and cooling to allow you to run a business out of the garage.

Until code enforcement shows up or some trouble makers decide to show up at my place in the middle of the night. Police help is hours away sometimes.

I have a few good customers I do work for but those few can't keep me busy enough to keep me employed.

Just doing honeydoo stuff in the hot garage is miserable.

here's the nearest adjacent 1800 Radiator franchisee?

I think it's time you and your coworkers have a chat with the boss about installing AC in your workshop areas.

Closest 1800 is about 45 miles 1 way. But with traffic that can be 3+ hrs each way easily.

I can tell you right now my boss won't cool the shop.

 

[nwjones18]

I have a friend that has a franchise mobile diesel mechanic business and they are so busy they only take the jobs they want..