Franchising Is Cool

Akron Beacon Journal:

Jerry Van Vlack, at age 61, decided to start over and open a new business.

He is all about keeping his customers cool with the niche he settled upon: Selling vehicle radiators, air conditioner compressors and other specialized parts primarily to Akron- and Canton-area repair shops.

It can be a sweet deal for those customers - but more on that a bit later.

Van Vlack, who for decades had been an executive in the Akron-area rubber industry, decided to become a franchise owner with 1-800-Radiator, a California-based business that has spread throughout the U.S. and is moving into Canada. In telling his story, he had tips to pass on to other prospective small business startups.

Van Vlack, a Hudson resident, had been president of a small rubber company division that was put on the sales block. Van Vlack said he considered buying the company, but soon decided to look elsewhere. It helped that besides his background managing an automotive-related rubber company, he likes cars: He has owned a 1966 Triumph TR4A sports car since 1969 that he still takes on long trips.

‘I looked at various franchises,’ Van Vlack said. ‘I enjoy automotive.’

He did a lot of homework and ended up with 1-800 Radiator almost by accident.

In 2006, he went shopping for a radiator for his son’s car.

‘I talked with the gentleman who had the Cleveland (1-800 Radiator) franchise,’ Van Vlack said. ‘One thing led to another.’

The end result: Last year he bought what became franchise number 183, setting up in a building at 1242 Brittain Road; 1-800-Radiator now has more than 300 franchises in the United States.

Photo: Paul Tople / Akron Beacon Journal.