Bishops Barbershop vs Knockouts
Bishops Barbershop vs Knockouts: Bishops Barbershop costs $102K to $618K to open; Knockouts costs $120K to $292K. Bishops Barbershop has 11 units, Knockouts has 9. SBA loan history: Bishops Barbershop = 13 loans (7.7% default); Knockouts = 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.
Bishops Barbershop vs Knockouts: 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
Bishops Barbershop requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($102K vs $120K for Knockouts), a 15% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $35K for Bishops Barbershop versus $40K for Knockouts, Bishops Barbershop has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Bishops Barbershop and 6% for Knockouts, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Bishops Barbershop operates 11 units to Knockouts's 9. Bishops Barbershop has been operating 25 years (founded 2001) versus 24 for Knockouts (founded 2002), a 1-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Knockouts has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 13 7(a) approvals compared with 13 for Bishops Barbershop. Bishops Barbershop's peak SBA year was 2018 (9 loans); Knockouts's peak was 2023 (3 loans). Knockouts's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Bishops Barbershop has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 4. Knockouts leads in IN, 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 Bishops Barbershop deals is $264K vs $194K for Knockouts, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.7% for Bishops Barbershop and 0.0% for Knockouts, Knockouts has the cleaner SBA loss record by 7.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 45 (Fair) for Bishops Barbershop and 57 (Moderate) for Knockouts, giving Knockouts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 45/100 | 57/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 13 | 13 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.7% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $102K to $618K | $120K to $292K |
Franchise Fee | $35K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 1% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 11 | 9 |
Franchised Units | 11 | 9 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2001 | 2002 |
Franchising Since | 2023 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 3 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | ANAHEIM, CA | Avon, IN |
Category | Barber Shops | Barber Shops |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2024 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Bishops Barbershop or Knockouts?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Bishops Barbershop: $102K starting · Knockouts: $120K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Tie
Bishops Barbershop: 13 SBA loans · Knockouts: 13 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Knockouts
Bishops Barbershop: 7.7% · Knockouts: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Bishops Barbershop: 11 units · Knockouts: 9 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Bishops Barbershop: 6% · Knockouts: 6%
More lender financing options
Bishops Barbershop
Bishops Barbershop: 6 unique lenders · Knockouts: 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.
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About These Franchises
Bishops Barbershop vs Knockouts: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Bishops Barbershop and Knockouts is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $102K to $618K.
Bishops Barbershop has 13 SBA loans on record and Knockouts 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.
Bishops Barbershop vs Knockouts, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Bishops Barbershop or Knockouts?
How much does a Bishops Barbershop franchise cost compared to Knockouts?
Can I finance Bishops Barbershop or Knockouts with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Bishops Barbershop or Knockouts?
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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