Pop-A-Lock
Pop-A-Lock is America's largest professional locksmithing franchise, operating mobile automotive, residential, and commercial locksmith services through 4,500+ independently owned franchise locations across the US, Canada, and Australia under franchisor SystemForward America, Inc.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersLafayette, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Pop-A-Lock does
Pop-A-Lock, founded in 1991 in Lafayette, Louisiana by law enforcement agents, is America's largest professional locksmithing franchise. The company operates through a network of independently owned and operated franchise locations delivering mobile locksmith services across three core segments: automotive (car door unlocking, key duplication, smart key programming, ignition repair, fleet services), residential (lockouts, lock repair and installation, rekeying, electronic lock installation, security audits), and commercial (rekeying, access control, master key systems, keyless entry, biometric systems). The franchise footprint spans more than 4,500 communities across the United States, Canada, and Australia, with services available 24/7 at participating locations and dispatched through a national toll-free number (1-800-POP-A-LOCK), the MyPal/KeyCommerce online booking platform, or website-based franchise locator.
The company's revenue model combines franchisor-level franchise fees and royalties (collected by parent entity SystemForward America, Inc.) with transaction-based service fees charged by individual franchisees for each locksmith job. Pricing is transaction-based, with standard service visits typically ranging from $50 to $300 depending on service type, time of day, and location; after-hours and emergency service carries premium rates. Pop-A-Lock has invested in proprietary technology including the Smart Track technician verification and GPS tracking system, MyPal online booking with real-time notifications, non-destructive vehicle entry tools, and smart key programming equipment for modern transponder and proximity key systems. The company maintains ancillary programs including PALSavesKids (free child rescue from locked vehicles, established 1991) and a Lost Key Return Program. The franchisor offers technology, training, marketing support, and brand positioning under a "no locksmithing experience required" franchise model, with the brand ranked #1 in its category in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 for 2022, 2023, and 2024.
The company is privately held with no institutional investor or public market presence indicated in the available materials. Employee count is listed at 1,001-5,000 (likely reflecting franchise-network total rather than franchisor corporate staff alone), and no revenue figures are disclosed. No acquisitions, funding rounds, mergers, or leadership transitions are documented in the input materials. Leadership includes Donald Marks (CEO) and Sam Landers (President & CEO). The company holds BBB accreditation, a 4-Star Franchisee Satisfaction rating from FranchiseBusiness REVIEW, and Top 100 Fastest Growing Franchises recognition, supporting a profile of a mature, operationally stable franchise system with incremental digital and product innovation rather than transformational growth.
Pop-A-Lock firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pop-A-Lock
- Legal name
- SystemForward America, Inc.
- Website
- https://popalock.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Pop-A-Lock is America's largest professional locksmithing franchise, operating mobile automotive, residential, and commercial locksmith services through 4,500+ independently owned franchise locations across the US, Canada, and Australia under franchisor SystemForward America, Inc.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Pop-A-Lock industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Locksmith Services
- NAICS
- Locksmiths (561622), Security Systems Services (56162)
- SIC
- Services-Detective, Guard & Armored Car Services (7381)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Key Management, Duplication & Locksmith Services (HSAHAEAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Smart Lock Installation, Retrofit & Door Hardware Services (HSAHAEAB), Smart Lock Software Platforms & Mobile Apps (Access Control SaaS) (HSAHAEAG), Access Control & Smart Locks (Managed/Monitored) (HSAHAAAG)
Keywords
Where Pop-A-Lock is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lafayette
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Pop-A-Lock business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Mobile Locksmith Services: Transactional service fees charged per locksmith job performed. Services include automotive lockouts, key duplication, ignition repair, residential lockouts, rekeying, commercial security services, and emergency assistance. Pricing varies by service type, time of day, and location.
- Franchise Fees and Royalties: Pop-A-Lock operates as a franchise system (franchisor: SystemForward America, Inc.). Franchisees pay initial franchise fees and ongoing royalty payments for the right to operate under the Pop-A-Lock brand, access to proprietary systems, training, marketing support, and the national dispatch number.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Locksmith Services |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Emergency/After-Hours Service |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Pop-A-Lock product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pop-A-Lock is America's largest professional locksmithing franchise, delivering mobile automotive, residential, and commercial locksmith services through a nationwide network of franchise locations. Services include car door unlocking, smart key duplication and programming, ignition repair, home lockouts and rekeying, and commercial security solutions, supported by proprietary tools, the Smart Track tracking system, and the MyPal online booking platform.
Product overview
Pop-A-Lock is America's largest professional locksmithing franchise providing a comprehensive suite of locksmith services organized around three core segments: Automotive (car door unlocking, key duplication and smart key programming, ignition repair, fleet services), Residential (lockout service, lock repair and installation, rekeying, electronic/smart locks, security audits), and Commercial (rekeying, access control, master key systems, keyless entry, security solutions). The service is delivered through a network of independently operated but uniformly trained franchise locations using proprietary equipment. The company operates a technology platform including Pop-A-Lock Smart Track (technician tracking and verification), MyPal Online Booking (digital scheduling), and the community-focused PALSavesKids free emergency program. Services are available 24/7 at participating locations with mobile technicians serving over 4,500 communities nationwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PALSavesKids™: A free community service program that rescues children from locked vehicles at no charge to families or caregivers.
- Pop-A-Lock Smart Track
Products and services
- Automotive Locksmith Services Mobile automotive locksmith services for individual vehicle owners, including car door unlocking, key duplication, ignition repair, key extraction, trunk unlocking, and car key replacement for nearly all vehicle makes and models.
- Residential Locksmith Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Technicians can duplicate or program most keys within 15-45 minutes depending on key type and vehicle model
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Pop-A-Lock
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Pop-A-Lock technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Pop-A-Lock partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Pop-A-Lock competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ADT Inc. ADT is the largest professionally monitored home security company in the US, offering security systems and access control solutions that overlap with Pop-A-Lock's commercial and residential security offerings. ADT competes in the higher-end monitored security segment Pop-A-Lock is expanding into.
- AAA (American Automobile Association): AAA is a major roadside assistance provider that handles a meaningful share of automotive lockout calls as part of its membership benefits. It competes with Pop-A-Lock's emergency automotive lockout service, particularly for members whose lockouts are covered.
- Vivint Smart Home: Vivint is a leading smart home security provider offering professionally installed smart locks, cameras, and access control. It competes with Pop-A-Lock's growing smart lock installation and electronic security product offerings.
- Brinks Home Security: Brinks Home is a professionally monitored home security provider offering access control and smart lock integration. It competes with Pop-A-Lock's commercial and residential electronic security solutions.
- Authority Brands (parent of Monster Garage Floors, The Grounds Guys, etc.): Authority Brands owns and operates multiple home services franchise systems across the US. As a portfolio competitor in the home services franchise category, it competes with Pop-A-Lock for franchisee capital and market position in adjacent service verticals.
Direct peers
- 1-800-Locksmith: 1-800-Locksmith is a national locksmith referral and dispatch service with a similar toll-free number model to Pop-A-Lock's 1-800-POP-A-LOCK. It competes for consumer locksmith leads and dispatches jobs to local locksmiths in markets where Pop-A-Lock also operates.
- MinuteKey: MinuteKey operates self-service key duplication kiosks in retail locations across the US. It directly competes with Pop-A-Lock's key duplication service line, though distribution model (kiosk) differs from Pop-A-Lock's mobile service.
- KeyMe: KeyMe operates self-service key duplication kiosks and a mobile locksmith platform, directly competing with Pop-A-Lock in residential and automotive key duplication. Both target the same consumer lockout and key replacement demand with technology-led service models.
- Mr. Handyman (Neighborly): Mr. Handyman is a Neighborly-owned franchise that provides home repair, maintenance, and installation services including door hardware and lock-related work. It competes with Pop-A-Lock's residential service line and shares the franchise-based growth model.
Others
- Locksmith Ledger International: Locksmith Ledger is the trade publication serving the locksmith industry. While not a direct competitor, it is the leading information source for locksmiths and provides market context for Pop-A-Lock's competitive positioning.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pop-A-Lock social profiles
Digital presencePop-A-Lock financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pop-A-Lock leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Pop-A-Lock funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pop-A-Lock M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Pop-A-Lock
What does Pop-A-Lock do?
Pop-A-Lock is America's largest professional locksmithing franchise, delivering mobile automotive, residential, and commercial locksmith services through a nationwide network of franchise locations. Services include car door unlocking, smart key duplication and programming, ignition repair, home lockouts and rekeying, and commercial security solutions, supported by proprietary tools, the Smart Track tracking system, and the MyPal online booking platform.
Is Pop-A-Lock a public or private company?
Pop-A-Lock is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Pop-A-Lock founded?
Pop-A-Lock was founded in 1991. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Pop-A-Lock based?
Pop-A-Lock is headquartered in Lafayette, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pop-A-Lock make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Mobile Locksmith Services are the primary driver. The others are franchise Fees and Royalties.
Who are Pop-A-Lock's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ADT Inc., AAA (American Automobile Association), Vivint Smart Home, Brinks Home Security and Authority Brands (parent of Monster Garage Floors, The Grounds Guys, etc.). Direct peers are 1-800-Locksmith, MinuteKey, KeyMe and Mr. Handyman (Neighborly). Locksmith Ledger International is listed as an others.
Does Pop-A-Lock have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pop-A-Lock.
What industry is Pop-A-Lock in?
Pop-A-Lock's product category is Locksmith Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAHAEAD, Key Management, Duplication & Locksmith Services, with a secondary code of HSAHAEAB, Smart Lock Installation, Retrofit & Door Hardware Services. Its NAICS code is 561622 and its SIC code is 7381.