Fast Facts
- Walt’s Radiator was founded in 1960 by Walt Austin with a single location
in Lakewood, Washington.
- The name was changed to Walt’s Radiator & Muffler in 1972.
- By 1974, Walt’s had 3 locations and 15 employees.
- Walt’s opened their 10th location in Seattle (Airport Way) in 1982.
- Walt’s opened their 20th location in Fife in 1986.
- The name was changed to Walt’s Radiator, Muffler, and Brakes in 1987.
- By the late 1980s, Walt’s was collectively installing more radiators
than any other group of shops in the country.
- Walt’s surpassed our millionth muffler installed by the early 1990s.
- In 1998, Walt’s started using the name Walt’s Auto Care Centers
after adding maintenance services to compliment their historic focus on cooling,
exhaust, and brake systems.
- In 2005, the Company became an employee owned and operated Company.
- Walt’s performed over 8,000 brake jobs in 2006 alone and over 25,000
oil changes.
- In 2007, Walt’s expanded outside of the Puget Sound for the first
time with the opening of a Boise, Idaho store.
- With over 20 locations and 100 employees Walt’s continues to focus
on our goal of helping Northwest customers maintain, repair, and preserve
their car or truck.
