Which has more SBA loans, Ace Hardware or True Value?

Ace Hardware has 1,175 SBA 7(a) historical approvals; True Value has 242. Ace Hardware has the deeper public lender track record, which generally translates into faster pre-qualification and broader lender familiarity.

What is the default rate for Ace Hardware vs True Value SBA loans?

Ace Hardware's SBA default rate is 7.0%, versus 12.8% for True Value. Ace Hardware has the cleaner loss profile, which capital sources weigh when pricing the next deal in the brand.

When did Ace Hardware and True Value peak in SBA lending volume?

Ace Hardware's SBA approval peak was 2021 with 105 loans; True Value's peak was 2016 with 17. A more recent peak (currently Ace Hardware) generally indicates fresher lender appetite and easier financing today.

Which states have the most Ace Hardware and True Value SBA loans?

Ace Hardware leads in CA with 120 SBA-funded units; True Value leads in IL with 27. The brand that matches your operating state typically closes faster because local lenders already know the unit economics.

Side by Side Comparison

Ace Hardware vs True Value

Q: Which is a better franchise investment, Ace Hardware or True Value?

Ace Hardware vs True Value: compare initial investment, royalty rate, unit count, SBA lending history, default rate, and PeerSense FPI score side by side. The right answer depends on your capital, target market, and risk tolerance, not on which brand ranks higher in a list.

Q: How much does a Ace Hardware franchise cost compared to True Value?

Ace Hardware requires a total initial investment of $579K to $1.9M while True Value requires $75K to $860K. True Value has the lower minimum capital commitment. Franchise fee, royalty percentage, and advertising fees vary independently, see the comparison table below for the full FDD breakdown.

Quick Answer

Ace Hardware vs True Value: Ace Hardware costs $579K to $1.9M to open; True Value costs $75K to $860K. Ace Hardware has 850 units, True Value has 239. SBA loan history: Ace Hardware = 1,175 loans (7.0% default); True Value = 242 loans (12.8% 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.

Ace Hardware vs True Value: 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

True Value requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($75K vs $579K for Ace Hardware), a 672% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $5K for Ace Hardware versus $53K for True Value, Ace Hardware has the lower entry fee.

System Scale & Tenure

On scale, Ace Hardware operates 850 units to True Value's 239, roughly 4× the system size. Ace Hardware has been operating 102 years (founded 1924) versus 78 for True Value (founded 1948), a 24-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.

SBA Lending Profile

Ace Hardware has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 1,175 7(a) approvals compared with 242 for True Value. Ace Hardware's peak SBA year was 2021 (105 loans); True Value's peak was 2016 (17 loans). Ace Hardware's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Ace Hardware has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 120. True Value leads in IL, with 27. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Ace Hardware deals is $678K vs $391K for True Value, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.

Risk Signal

SBA default rates are 7.0% for Ace Hardware and 12.8% for True Value, Ace Hardware has the cleaner SBA loss record by 5.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 60 (Moderate) for Ace Hardware and 28 (Fair) for True Value, giving Ace Hardware the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.

Ace Hardware

Hardware Stores

60 7W

True Value

Hardware Stores

Health & Performance

FPI Score	60/100	28/100
Health Tier	Moderate	Limited
Confidence	N/A	N/A
Lending Trend	Declining	Declining

SBA Lending

SBA Loans	1,175	242
SBA Volume	–	–
Default Rate	7.0%	12.8%
Peer Tier	major	major

Investment & Costs

Total Investment	$579K to $1.9M	$75K to $860K
Franchise Fee	$5K	$53K
Royalty Rate	N/A	N/A
Ad Fund	N/A	N/A
Liquid Capital	$250K	$75K
Net Worth Required	$400K	$150K

Financial Performance (Item 19)

Item 19 Status

Not Disclosed

System Size & Operations

Total Units	850	239
Franchised Units	850	239
Company Owned	–	–
Term Length	N/A	N/A

Brand Information

Year Founded	1924	1948
Franchising Since	1960	1960
Years Franchising	66 yrs	66 yrs
Headquarters	Oak Brook, IL	Chicago, IL
Category	Hardware Stores	Hardware Stores
Website	acehardware.com	truevalue.com
FDD Year	N/A	N/A

Which Is Better, Ace Hardware or True Value?

Lower upfront capital required

Tie

Ace Hardware: $579K starting · True Value: $75K starting

More SBA lender confidence

Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware: 1,175 SBA loans · True Value: 242 SBA loans

Lower SBA default rate

Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware: 7.0% · True Value: 12.8%

Larger system & brand presence

Tie

Ace Hardware: 850 units · True Value: 239 units

More lender financing options

Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware: 328 unique lenders · True Value: 140 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.

Franchise Financing

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About These Franchises

Ace Hardware

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Ace Hardware vs True Value: Franchise Funding Comparison

Comparing Ace Hardware and True Value is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $75K to $1.9M.

Ace Hardware has 1,175 SBA loans on record and True Value has 242. 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.

SBA Loan Guide Franchise Funding Options Best SBA Franchise Lenders All Franchises Talk to PeerSense

Ace Hardware vs True Value, Frequently Asked Questions

Which is a better franchise investment, Ace Hardware or True Value?

Compare Ace Hardware vs True Value franchise costs, FDD data, royalty rates, unit counts, and SBA lending history side by side above. The best franchise depends on your capital, market, and risk tolerance, not a single ranking. Use the decision matrix above to see which brand wins on each financing dimension.

How much does a Ace Hardware franchise cost compared to True Value?

Ace Hardware requires $579K to $1.9M in total initial investment with a $5K franchise fee. True Value requires $75K to $860K with a $53K franchise fee. All numbers come from official Franchise Disclosure Document filings.

Can I finance Ace Hardware or True Value with an SBA loan?

Both brands appear on the SBA Franchise Directory and have funded SBA 7(a) loans: Ace Hardware has 1,175 SBA loans on record; True Value has 242. SBA 7(a) is the most common franchise financing vehicle, offering up to $5M with 10% down. PeerSense routes your deal to lenders who have already approved the brand.

Which has a lower SBA default rate, Ace Hardware or True Value?

Ace Hardware: 7.0% SBA default rate. True Value: 12.8% SBA default rate. Lower default rates mean lenders quote tighter rates and underwrite faster.

Compare Ace Hardware to other franchises Compare True Value to other franchises Browse all Hardware Stores franchises

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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 October 2, 2026LinkedIn profile About Edward Freeman