A+ Transmission vs Oil Can Henry
A+ Transmission vs Oil Can Henry: A+ Transmission costs $57K to $620K to open; Oil Can Henry costs $346K to $1.1M. A+ Transmission has 17 units, Oil Can Henry has 12. SBA loan history: A+ Transmission = 23 loans (13.0% default); Oil Can Henry = 13 loans (0.0% 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 Oil Can Henry: 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
A+ Transmission requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($57K vs $346K for Oil Can Henry), a 84% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $55K for A+ Transmission versus $25K for Oil Can Henry, Oil Can Henry has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, A+ Transmission operates 17 units to Oil Can Henry's 12. Oil Can Henry has been operating 48 years (founded 1978) versus 43 for A+ Transmission (founded 1983), a 5-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
A+ Transmission has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 23 7(a) approvals compared with 13 for Oil Can Henry. A+ Transmission's peak SBA year was 2008 (5 loans); Oil Can Henry's peak was 2006 (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. Oil Can Henry leads in WA, with 5. 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 $731K for Oil Can Henry, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 13.0% for A+ Transmission and 0.0% for Oil Can Henry, Oil Can Henry has the cleaner SBA loss record by 13.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 20 (Fair) for A+ Transmission and 42 (Fair) for Oil Can Henry, giving Oil Can Henry the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 20/100 | 42/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 23 | 13 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 13.0% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $57K to $620K | $346K to $1.1M |
Franchise Fee | $55K | $25K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 5.5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 1% |
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 | 12 |
Franchised Units | 17 | 12 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1983 | 1978 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | HOUSTON, TX | YAKIMA, WA |
Category | All Other Automotive Repair | All Other Automotive Repair |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, A+ Transmission or Oil Can Henry?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
A+ Transmission: $57K starting · Oil Can Henry: $346K starting
More SBA lender confidence
A+ Transmission
A+ Transmission: 23 SBA loans · Oil Can Henry: 13 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Oil Can Henry
A+ Transmission: 13.0% · Oil Can Henry: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
A+ Transmission: 17 units · Oil Can Henry: 12 units
More lender financing options
A+ Transmission
A+ Transmission: 8 unique lenders · Oil Can Henry: 4 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.
Need Funding for A+ Transmission or Oil Can Henry?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
A+ Transmission vs Oil Can Henry: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing A+ Transmission and Oil Can Henry is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $57K to $1.1M.
A+ Transmission has 23 SBA loans on record and Oil Can Henry has 13. 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 Oil Can Henry, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, A+ Transmission or Oil Can Henry?
How much does a A+ Transmission franchise cost compared to Oil Can Henry?
Can I finance A+ Transmission or Oil Can Henry with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, A+ Transmission or Oil Can Henry?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
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