1tomplumber vs Aire Serv
1tomplumber vs Aire Serv: 1tomplumber costs $516K to $2.8M to open; Aire Serv costs $114K to $272K. 1tomplumber has 43 units, Aire Serv has 93. SBA loan history: 1tomplumber = 14 loans (0.0% default); Aire Serv = 101 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.
1tomplumber vs Aire Serv: 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
Aire Serv requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($114K vs $516K for 1tomplumber), a 353% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for 1tomplumber versus $45K for Aire Serv, Aire Serv has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for 1tomplumber and 7% for Aire Serv, giving 1tomplumber the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Aire Serv operates 93 units to 1tomplumber's 43, roughly 2× the system size. Aire Serv has been operating 34 years (founded 1992) versus 8 for 1tomplumber (founded 2018), a 26-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Aire Serv has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 101 7(a) approvals compared with 14 for 1tomplumber.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for 1tomplumber and 7.9% for Aire Serv, 1tomplumber has the cleaner SBA loss record by 7.9 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 62 (Moderate) for 1tomplumber and 84 (Excellent) for Aire Serv, giving Aire Serv the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 62/100 | 84/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Excellent |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | Surging |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 14 | 101 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 7.9% |
Peer Tier | growing | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $516K to $2.8M | $114K to $272K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $45K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $50K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 43 | 93 |
Franchised Units | 37 | 93 |
Company Owned | 6 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2018 | 1992 |
Franchising Since | 2020 | 1993 |
Years Franchising | 6 yrs | 33 yrs |
Headquarters | Milford, OH | Waco, TX |
Category | Plumbing, Heating, | Plumbing, Heating, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better, 1tomplumber or Aire Serv?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
1tomplumber: $516K starting · Aire Serv: $114K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Aire Serv
1tomplumber: 14 SBA loans · Aire Serv: 101 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
1tomplumber
1tomplumber: 0.0% · Aire Serv: 7.9%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
1tomplumber: 43 units · Aire Serv: 93 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
1tomplumber
1tomplumber: 6% · Aire Serv: 7%
More lender financing options
Aire Serv
1tomplumber: 10 unique lenders · Aire Serv: 24 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
1tomplumber vs Aire Serv: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing 1tomplumber and Aire Serv is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $114K to $2.8M.
1tomplumber has 14 SBA loans on record and Aire Serv has 101. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. There is not enough recent lending activity on record to judge current appetite for at least one of these brands, so it has to be checked deal by deal.
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.
1tomplumber vs Aire Serv, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, 1tomplumber or Aire Serv?
How much does a 1tomplumber franchise cost compared to Aire Serv?
Can I finance 1tomplumber or Aire Serv with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, 1tomplumber or Aire Serv?
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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; 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