In this episode of Emerging Franchise Brands, Frank Fiume and guest co-host Mark Siebert sit down with Brad Coleman, former NASCAR driver and now CEO of Safeway Driving, a franchise dedicated to teaching safer, smarter teen drivers across Texas.
Safeway Driving was founded in 1973 by a high school football coach, and Brad—one of its proud graduates—took over the brand in 2009 after a career in professional racing. What started as a regional driving school is now a mission-led franchise with over two dozen locations and a big vision: save lives while building a scalable, community-focused business.
Brad shares how his experience in NASCAR gave him the discipline and awareness that directly translates to driver safety education. With his father’s background in branding and marketing, they modernized Safeway’s curriculum, tech, and customer experience—ditching clipboards for iPads and bringing a premium feel to driver training.
Today, Safeway franchisees are awarded exclusive territories based on high school attendance zones and operate mobile-first businesses with compact offices and branded Toyota Corollas. The model is lean, community-rooted, and built around data that shows Safeway grads are 50% less likely to crash compared to the state average.
Ideal franchisees are not passive investors but active local leaders with sales or marketing skills and a heart for service. With an investment starting around $70K (based on cars and territory size), Safeway offers both impact and opportunity—without the need for expensive retail space.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or entrepreneur looking to make roads safer and build a lasting business, Safeway Driving delivers.
December 15, 2025
