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1-800-RADIATOR vs Grease Monkey — which franchise is the better buy?

Side by side from the public FDDs — no franchisor spin.

	1-800-RADIATOR	Grease Monkey
Disclosure honesty	B	B
Investment from	$463,500	$708,057
Total fees	10%	6.5%
Outlets	194	408
Lawsuits	6	1

1-800-RADIATOR: what their numbers say

KPI analysis of 189 warehouses (2024): Metro sales $1,311 per customer avg; inventory availability 7-12% out-of-stock; sales visit frequency 2.6-5.2 times/year. EBITDA survey of 112 warehouses: avg $167,319 (8% EBITDA margin); median $110,239.

Grease Monkey: what their numbers say

FY2025 data from 174 franchisees in 5 sales categories. Charts show net sales ranges, EBITDAR averages (3.8%-23.5%), and quartile performance. Excludes occupancy costs, taxes, interest. Limited sample omits struggling/new locations.

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