How to Finance an Ice Cold Air Franchise: Auto Repair Shops
By Anthony Cornella
An Ice Cold Air franchise loan funds an auto repair shop in a brand that started in automotive air conditioning and grew into full-service repair. Because the franchisor offers owners a choice of available shop locations and references affiliated landlord leases, financing often centers on equipment, working capital and the lease or real estate behind a specific shop rather than a ground-up build.
This article covers what Ice Cold Air is, how to budget for a shop, the fees to confirm, how SBA and conventional loans may fit and what lenders review. US Professional Funding is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Ice Cold Air; the name is used only to describe the business. Figures in the franchisor’s disclosure document can change, loan programs vary, and every loan is subject to approval. Nothing here is legal, tax or investment advice.
Ice Cold Air Franchise Loan at a Glance
- Concept: discount auto repair and maintenance, with roots in automotive air conditioning
- History: the company says its story dates back to 1969, when its founder opened a shop in Orlando, Florida calibrating speedometers
- Footprint: 14 shops across West Florida, according to the company’s website
- Services: A/C, brakes, check engine lights, batteries, starters and alternators, belts and hoses, tune-ups and oil changes
- Experience: the franchise page says no automotive experience is necessary
- Franchisor support: the franchise page lists financing plans, equipment lease or purchase options and low up-front fees
- Franchise fee, royalty, total investment and net worth requirements: not published; confirm them in the current disclosure document
- SBA Franchise Directory: listed as Ice Cold Air (code S3833), with notes on the shop lease rider and affiliated landlord leases
Because the franchisor does not publish fees or an investment range, this article does not quote them. Request the current disclosure document before you build a loan request.
What Is Ice Cold Air?
Ice Cold Air is a Florida auto repair brand whose shops operate as Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair. The company describes itself as a leader in automotive air conditioning that has continually added services to offer full auto repair. Its shops are concentrated on Florida’s west coast, in communities such as Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Zephyrhills, Brooksville and Crystal River. The website notes that locations are independently owned and operated.
The franchise page emphasizes a step-by-step start-up process, observation time at an established franchised shop, hands-on support in your store during the transition, unlimited ongoing coaching, first-year communications training and sales clinics focused on specific repairs. Owners also receive recruiting, marketing and peer support.
How lenders see the concept. A lender views an Ice Cold Air deal as a general auto repair shop with a long regional history in a hot climate where A/C repair demand is steady. The brand is regional rather than national, so the borrower’s management ability, the shop’s location and any historical results carry significant weight.
Ice Cold Air Franchise Costs
The Item 7 table in the disclosure document is the only reliable source for the investment range. Use these categories to organize your Ice Cold Air franchise loan request.
Initial franchise fee
Item 5 states the fee, what it covers and when it is due. The franchise page highlights low up-front fees, so confirm the amount and whether any portion is financed by the franchisor.
Shop lease or real estate
The franchise page says owners can choose from various available locations, and the SBA directory notes reference both a shop lease rider and an affiliated landlord lease document. That suggests some shops may be leased from an affiliate of the franchisor. Read the lease carefully: its term, rent escalations and renewal options matter as much as the franchise agreement.
Equipment and tools
Expect vehicle lifts, A/C recovery and recharge machines, diagnostic scan tools, tire and brake equipment, an air compressor, battery testers, shop management software and hand tools. Some equipment may come with an existing shop; ask what is included and its condition.
Opening costs and working capital
Budget for parts inventory, insurance, licenses, signage updates, training, marketing and payroll for technicians and service writers. Additional funds should carry the shop until car counts and repair orders are steady.
Item 7 categories to pull from the disclosure document:
- Initial franchise fee
- Rent, security deposits and any lease costs
- Leasehold improvements or shop updates
- Lifts, A/C machines, diagnostic and shop equipment
- Computer and shop management software
- Signage
- Opening parts and supplies inventory
- Training expenses
- Insurance, licenses and professional fees
- Grand opening marketing
- Additional funds for the initial operating period
Ongoing Fees and How They Affect Your Loan
Item 6 lists the royalty, any advertising contribution, technology fees, transfer fees and renewal fees. If you lease from a franchisor affiliate, rent becomes another ongoing payment tied to the franchise relationship.
In underwriting an Ice Cold Air franchise loan, lenders subtract royalties, marketing fees and rent from projected revenue before calculating debt service coverage. In auto repair, technician wages and parts costs are the largest variable expenses, so your projections should show realistic gross margin on parts and labor.
Franchisor Requirements for New Owners
Ice Cold Air does not publish a net worth or liquidity minimum. The franchise page says no automotive experience is necessary and lists traits such as valuing and respecting customers. Lenders will still expect business or management experience and a plan for hiring certified technicians.
Expect an inquiry, a review of the disclosure document, a meeting with the franchise team, observation at an existing shop and franchisor approval before signing.
Ways to Own an Ice Cold Air
An available shop location. The franchise page invites owners to choose from various available locations. If a shop is already open, ask for its operating history, equipment list and lease terms, which a lender will review.
A new location. Opening a shop in a new building requires a larger budget for improvements, lifts and signage, and lenders will rely on projections.
Buying from an existing franchisee. A resale requires franchisor approval and landlord consent. Our article on buying a franchise resale covers the process, and our auto repair business acquisition financing page explains acquisition loans.
Converting an independent shop. If you already run a repair shop, ask whether conversion is allowed. Lenders will review the shop’s existing results and the cost of rebranding.
Ice Cold Air Franchise Loan Options
SBA 7(a) loans
An SBA 7(a) loan can combine the franchise fee, equipment, shop improvements, inventory and working capital, or finance the purchase of an existing shop.
SBA 504 loans
If you buy the shop building, an SBA 504 loan can provide long-term financing for the real estate and major fixed equipment.
Conventional term loans
Experienced operators with strong collateral may prefer conventional business loans, particularly when buying a second shop.
Equipment financing
The franchise page mentions equipment lease or purchase options. Lifts, A/C machines and diagnostic tools can also be financed through auto repair equipment financing, with the equipment serving as collateral.
Working capital and lines of credit
In Florida, A/C repair demand peaks in the hottest months, while other repairs are steadier. A working capital line of credit helps cover parts, payroll and slower stretches.
Seller financing on resales
On a resale, a seller may agree to carry part of the price. Seller notes are typically subordinate to the senior loan, and SBA rules may limit them.
SBA Loans for Ice Cold Air Franchisees
The SBA guarantees part of loans made by participating lenders, and the 7(a) program currently has a $5 million maximum (program rules can change). For franchise loans, the lender confirms the brand’s listing on the SBA Franchise Directory.
Ice Cold Air is listed under code S3833 with two notes. First, when the real estate where the shop is located will secure the SBA-guaranteed loan, the Shop Lease Rider may not be executed; the lease rider is meant for leased shops, not for a property the owner is pledging. Second, the Affiliated Landlord Lease Document may not be used for SBA loans structured with an eligible passive company that owns the real estate and an operating company that runs the shop. If you plan to buy the building through a separate real estate entity, the lender will need a lease that does not rely on the franchisor’s affiliated landlord form.
SBA application tips. Bring the disclosure document, franchise agreement, lease, equipment list, personal financial statements, tax returns and a business plan. Our article on SBA loans for auto repair shops explains what underwriters review.
How Lenders Evaluate an Ice Cold Air Deal
Personal credit and financial history
Lenders review your credit report, debts and payment history, and they will ask you to explain any past issues.
Net worth and liquidity
Expect the lender to verify your cash injection and the reserves left after closing.
Industry and management experience
Although the franchisor says automotive experience is not required, lenders look for management experience and a plan for qualified technicians.
Business plan and projections
Model car counts, average repair order, labor rates and parts margins. Show how A/C work, brakes and maintenance combine across the year.
The FDD and franchise agreement
Lenders review Items 5, 6, 7, 10, 17 and 20 and whether Item 19 includes financial performance representations. Read our FDD financing guide.
The site, lease or real estate
Lenders want a lease that covers the loan term, plus an environmental review for shops that handle oil, refrigerants and other fluids.
Historical financials for existing shops
For an existing shop, expect requests for tax returns, profit and loss statements and repair order history.
Equipment and Environmental Deep Dive
Auto A/C work requires refrigerant recovery equipment and technicians certified to handle refrigerants. Lenders financing equipment will ask for quotes, model years and whether items are new or used. Shops that store oil, coolant and refrigerant may trigger an environmental questionnaire or report, particularly when real estate secures the loan.
Multi-Unit Growth
Owners who succeed with one shop may add another nearby. A lender financing a second unit will look at the first shop’s results, your remaining liquidity and who will manage each location. Our article on multi-unit franchise financing explains how lenders sequence growth.
Real-World Scenarios
A career changer. A former operations manager with no automotive background takes over an available shop. An SBA 7(a) loan covers the fee, equipment and working capital, and the owner hires an experienced shop foreman.
An independent shop owner. An operator converts an existing repair shop if the franchisor allows it, financing new signage and A/C equipment.
A real estate buyer. An owner buys a shop building through a separate entity with an SBA 504 loan, using a lease that fits the directory note.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Signing a lease before the lender reviews it
- Underestimating parts inventory and technician payroll
- Ignoring seasonal A/C demand in projections
- Skipping an environmental review on a shop purchase
- Leaving no reserves after the down payment
See our list of auto repair shop loan mistakes.
Next Steps to Finance Your Ice Cold Air Franchise
Step 1: Request the current disclosure document. Review Items 5, 6, 7 and 17.
Step 2: Choose a shop. Compare available locations, leases and equipment.
Step 3: Estimate your payment. Use our SBA loan calculator.
Step 4: Build your business plan. Include every Item 7 line and seasonal trends.
Step 5: Talk with a financing specialist. Compare SBA, conventional and equipment options.
Step 6: Coordinate approvals. Align the franchisor, landlord and lender.
Ice Cold Air Franchise Loan FAQs
How much does an Ice Cold Air franchise cost?
The investment range appears in Item 7 of the disclosure document. The franchisor does not publish it online.
What is the franchise fee and royalty?
Items 5 and 6 state the fee, royalty and other fees. The franchise page describes the up-front fees as low.
Can I get an SBA loan for an Ice Cold Air?
The brand is listed on the SBA Franchise Directory under code S3833. Approval depends on the borrower, the shop and the lender.
Do I need automotive experience?
The franchise page says no automotive experience is necessary, but lenders want management experience and a staffing plan.
Does the franchisor offer financing?
The franchise page mentions financing plans and equipment lease or purchase options. Item 10 describes any terms.
Can I finance equipment separately?
Yes, lifts and A/C machines can often be financed or leased separately.
Can I buy the shop building?
Possibly. An SBA 504 or 7(a) loan can finance real estate, subject to the directory notes on lease documents.
Where are Ice Cold Air shops located?
The company’s website lists 14 shops across West Florida.
How long is the franchise agreement?
The term and renewal rights are in Item 17. Lenders want the franchise and lease terms to cover the loan.
Final Thoughts
An Ice Cold Air franchise loan finances a regional auto repair shop with long roots in automotive air conditioning. Get the disclosure document, study the lease and equipment for the shop you choose, and plan working capital for seasonal swings.
US Professional Funding helps owners finance franchise acquisitions, start-ups, equipment and working capital. Learn more about our franchise financing and automotive care financing.
