1-800-GOT-JUNK? vs The Junkluggers
1-800-GOT-JUNK? vs The Junkluggers: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? costs $184K–$294K to open; The Junkluggers costs $48K–$380K. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has 146 units, The Junkluggers has 45. SBA loan history: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? = 28 loans (7.1% default); The Junkluggers = 63 loans (7.9% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
1-800-GOT-JUNK? vs The Junkluggers: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan-level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
The Junkluggers requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($48K vs $184K for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?), a 281% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $65K for 1-800-GOT-JUNK? versus $44K for The Junkluggers, The Junkluggers has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 8% for 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and 7% for The Junkluggers, giving The Junkluggers the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? operates 146 units to The Junkluggers's 45, roughly 3× the system size. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has been operating 27 years (founded 1999) versus 22 for The Junkluggers (founded 2004), a 5-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
The Junkluggers has the deeper SBA lending track record with 63 historical 7(a) approvals versus 28 for 1-800-GOT-JUNK?. 1-800-GOT-JUNK?'s peak SBA year was 2021 (6 loans); The Junkluggers's peak was 2021 (23 loans). The Junkluggers's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems concentrate the most SBA-funded units in CA. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded 1-800-GOT-JUNK? deals is $536K vs $187K for The Junkluggers, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.1% for 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and 7.9% for The Junkluggers, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? has the cleaner historical loss profile by 0.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 46 (Fair) for 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and 53 (Moderate) for The Junkluggers, giving The Junkluggers the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 46/100 | 53/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 28 | 63 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.1% | 7.9% |
Peer Tier | established | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $184K – $294K | $48K – $380K |
Franchise Fee | $65K | $44K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 8% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 146 | 45 |
Franchised Units | 104 | 45 |
Company-Owned | 42 | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1999 | 2004 |
Franchising Since | 1999 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 27 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | El Cajon, CA | MORAGA, CA |
Category | Other Waste Collection | Other Waste Collection |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | 2024 |
Which Is Better, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? or The Junkluggers?
Lower upfront capital required
The Junkluggers
1-800-GOT-JUNK?: $184K starting · The Junkluggers: $48K starting
More SBA lender confidence
The Junkluggers
1-800-GOT-JUNK?: 28 SBA loans · The Junkluggers: 63 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
1-800-GOT-JUNK?: 7.1% · The Junkluggers: 7.9%
Larger system & brand presence
1-800-GOT-JUNK?
1-800-GOT-JUNK?: 146 units · The Junkluggers: 45 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
The Junkluggers
1-800-GOT-JUNK?: 8% · The Junkluggers: 7%
More lender financing options
Tie
1-800-GOT-JUNK?: 21 unique lenders · The Junkluggers: 21 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
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About These Franchises
1-800-GOT-JUNK? vs The Junkluggers: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and The Junkluggers is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $48K to $380K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? with 28 SBA loans and The Junkluggers with 63. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
1-800-GOT-JUNK? vs The Junkluggers, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? or The Junkluggers?
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