Aero Colours vs Maaco
Aero Colours vs Maaco: Aero Colours costs $28K to $421K to open; Maaco costs $100K to $1.4M. Aero Colours has 10 units, Maaco has 467. SBA loan history: Aero Colours = 15 loans (33.3% default); Maaco = 608 loans (12.5% 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.
Aero Colours vs Maaco: 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
Aero Colours requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($28K vs $100K for Maaco), a 72% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $29K for Aero Colours versus $47K for Maaco, Aero Colours has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Maaco operates 467 units to Aero Colours's 10, roughly 47× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Maaco has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 608 7(a) approvals compared with 15 for Aero Colours. Aero Colours's peak SBA year was 1996 (4 loans); Maaco's peak was 1997 (46 loans). Maaco's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Aero Colours has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 2. Maaco leads in CA, with 69. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Aero Colours deals is $155K vs $370K for Maaco, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 33.3% for Aero Colours and 12.5% for Maaco, Maaco has the cleaner SBA loss record by 20.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 23 (Fair) for Aero Colours and 52 (Moderate) for Maaco, giving Maaco the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 23/100 | 52/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 15 | 608 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 33.3% | 12.5% |
Peer Tier | growing | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $28K to $421K | $100K to $1.4M |
Franchise Fee | $29K | $47K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 4% |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $150K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 10 | 467 |
Franchised Units | 10 | 467 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1972 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | CA | LAKEWOOD, NJ |
Category | Automotive Body, Paint, | Automotive Body, Paint, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Aero Colours or Maaco?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Aero Colours: $28K starting · Maaco: $100K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Maaco
Aero Colours: 15 SBA loans · Maaco: 608 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Maaco
Aero Colours: 33.3% · Maaco: 12.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Aero Colours: 10 units · Maaco: 467 units
More lender financing options
Maaco
Aero Colours: 9 unique lenders · Maaco: 188 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
Aero Colours vs Maaco: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Aero Colours and Maaco is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $28K to $1.4M.
Aero Colours has 15 SBA loans on record and Maaco has 608. 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.
Aero Colours vs Maaco, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Aero Colours or Maaco?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Aero Colours or Maaco?
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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
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