A+ Transmission vs Lube Pro's
A+ Transmission vs Lube Pro's: A+ Transmission costs $57K to $620K to open; Lube Pro's costs $56K to $272K. A+ Transmission has 17 units, Lube Pro's has 7. SBA loan history: A+ Transmission = 23 loans (13.0% default); Lube Pro's = 10 loans (20.0% 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.
A+ Transmission vs Lube Pro's: 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
Lube Pro's requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($56K vs $57K for A+ Transmission), a 2% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, A+ Transmission operates 17 units to Lube Pro's's 7, roughly 2× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
A+ Transmission has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 23 7(a) approvals compared with 10 for Lube Pro's. A+ Transmission's peak SBA year was 2008 (5 loans); Lube Pro's's peak was 2000 (2 loans). A+ Transmission's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. A+ Transmission has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 24. Lube Pro's leads in IL, with 9. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded A+ Transmission deals is $251K vs $177K for Lube Pro's, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 13.0% for A+ Transmission and 20.0% for Lube Pro's, A+ Transmission has the cleaner SBA loss record by 7.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 20 (Fair) for A+ Transmission and 26 (Fair) for Lube Pro's, giving Lube Pro's the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 20/100 | 26/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 23 | 10 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 13.0% | 20.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $57K to $620K | $56K to $272K |
Franchise Fee | $55K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | N/A | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 17 | 7 |
Franchised Units | 17 | 7 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1983 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | HOUSTON, TX | MUNDELEIN, IL |
Category | All Other Automotive Repair | All Other Automotive Repair |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, A+ Transmission or Lube Pro's?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
A+ Transmission: $57K starting · Lube Pro's: $56K starting
More SBA lender confidence
A+ Transmission
A+ Transmission: 23 SBA loans · Lube Pro's: 10 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
A+ Transmission
A+ Transmission: 13.0% · Lube Pro's: 20.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
A+ Transmission: 17 units · Lube Pro's: 7 units
More lender financing options
A+ Transmission
A+ Transmission: 8 unique lenders · Lube Pro's: 6 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
A+ Transmission vs Lube Pro's: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing A+ Transmission and Lube Pro's is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $56K to $620K.
A+ Transmission has 23 SBA loans on record and Lube Pro's has 10. 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.
A+ Transmission vs Lube Pro's, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, A+ Transmission or Lube Pro's?
How much does a A+ Transmission franchise cost compared to Lube Pro's?
Can I finance A+ Transmission or Lube Pro's with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, A+ Transmission or Lube Pro's?
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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