1-800-GOT-JUNK? vs The Junkluggers
1-800-GOT-JUNK? vs The Junkluggers: 1-800-GOT-JUNK? costs $184K to $294K to open; The Junkluggers costs $48K to $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, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
1-800-GOT-JUNK? vs The Junkluggers: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on 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 7(a) approvals compared with 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 have 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 SBA loss record 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 to $294K | $48K to $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 SBA 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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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.
1-800-GOT-JUNK? has 28 SBA loans on record and The Junkluggers has 63. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
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?
How much does a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise cost compared to The Junkluggers?
Can I finance 1-800-GOT-JUNK? or The Junkluggers with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? or The Junkluggers?
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Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman