Armstrong McCall vs Body Shop (The)
Armstrong McCall vs Body Shop (The): Armstrong McCall costs $75K–$500K to open; Body Shop (The) costs $114K–$284K. Armstrong McCall has 47 units, Body Shop (The) has 22. SBA loan history: Armstrong McCall = 56 loans (12.5% default); Body Shop (The) = 23 loans (0.0% default). The franchise with more SBA-funded units, lower default rate, and lower royalty load is the safer financing bet, see the comparison below.
Armstrong McCall vs Body Shop (The): Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Data-driven differentiation pulled from 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
Armstrong McCall requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($75K vs $114K for Body Shop (The)), a 34% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Armstrong McCall operates 47 units to Body Shop (The)'s 22, roughly 2× the system size. Armstrong McCall has been operating 87 years (founded 1939) versus 39 for Body Shop (The) (founded 1987), a 48-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Armstrong McCall has the deeper SBA lending track record with 56 historical 7(a) approvals versus 23 for Body Shop (The).
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 12.5% for Armstrong McCall and 0.0% for Body Shop (The), Body Shop (The) has the cleaner historical loss profile by 12.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 33 (Fair) for Armstrong McCall and 59 (Moderate) for Body Shop (The), giving Body Shop (The) the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 33/100 | 59/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 56 | 23 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 12.5% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | established | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $75K – $500K | $114K – $284K |
Franchise Fee | $34K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 5% |
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 | 47 | 22 |
Franchised Units | 47 | 22 |
Company-Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1939 | 1987 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | Austin, TX | SAN FRANCISCO, CA |
Category | Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, | Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Armstrong McCall or Body Shop (The)?
Lower upfront capital required
Armstrong McCall
Armstrong McCall: $75K starting · Body Shop (The): $114K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Armstrong McCall
Armstrong McCall: 56 SBA loans · Body Shop (The): 23 SBA loans
Lower historical default rate
Body Shop (The)
Armstrong McCall: 12.5% · Body Shop (The): 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Armstrong McCall
Armstrong McCall: 47 units · Body Shop (The): 22 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Armstrong McCall
Armstrong McCall: 0% · Body Shop (The): 5%
More lender financing options
Armstrong McCall
Armstrong McCall: 33 unique lenders · Body Shop (The): 14 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
Armstrong McCall vs Body Shop (The): Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Armstrong McCall and Body Shop (The) is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $75K to $500K.
Both brands have active SBA lending histories, Armstrong McCall with 56 SBA loans and Body Shop (The) with 23. This means proven lender acceptance and established underwriting paths for franchise buyers.
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.
Armstrong McCall vs Body Shop (The), Frequently Asked Questions
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