Carstar vs Christian Brothers Automotive
Carstar vs Christian Brothers Automotive: Carstar costs $150K to $2.5M to open; Christian Brothers Automotive costs $350K to $771K. Carstar has 102 units, Christian Brothers Automotive has 242. SBA loan history: Carstar = 118 loans (3.4% default); Christian Brothers Automotive = 319 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.
Carstar vs Christian Brothers Automotive: 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
Carstar requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($150K vs $350K for Christian Brothers Automotive), a 57% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $20K for Carstar versus $135K for Christian Brothers Automotive, Carstar has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Christian Brothers Automotive operates 242 units to Carstar's 102, roughly 2× the system size. Christian Brothers Automotive has been operating 44 years (founded 1982) versus 37 for Carstar (founded 1989), a 7-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Christian Brothers Automotive has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 319 7(a) approvals compared with 118 for Carstar. Carstar's peak SBA year was 2021 (16 loans); Christian Brothers Automotive's peak was 2022 (33 loans). Christian Brothers Automotive's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Both systems have the most SBA funded units in TX. Borrowers in that state will find the deepest lender familiarity with either brand. Average SBA loan size on funded Carstar deals is $859K vs $381K for Christian Brothers Automotive, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 3.4% for Carstar and 0.0% for Christian Brothers Automotive, Christian Brothers Automotive has the cleaner SBA loss record by 3.4 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 56 (Moderate) for Carstar and 64 (Moderate) for Christian Brothers Automotive, giving Christian Brothers Automotive the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 56/100 | 64/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 118 | 319 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 3.4% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | major | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $150K to $2.5M | $350K to $771K |
Franchise Fee | $20K | $135K |
Royalty Rate | 5% | 50% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 3% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $85K |
Net Worth Required | $500K | $250K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 102 | 242 |
Franchised Units | 102 | 242 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 15 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1989 | 1982 |
Franchising Since | 1989 | 1996 |
Years Franchising | 37 yrs | 30 yrs |
Headquarters | ANAHEIM, CA | DALLAS, TX |
Category | General Automotive Repair | General Automotive Repair |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Carstar or Christian Brothers Automotive?
Lower upfront capital required
Carstar
Carstar: $150K starting · Christian Brothers Automotive: $350K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Christian Brothers Automotive
Carstar: 118 SBA loans · Christian Brothers Automotive: 319 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Christian Brothers Automotive
Carstar: 3.4% · Christian Brothers Automotive: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Christian Brothers Automotive
Carstar: 102 units · Christian Brothers Automotive: 242 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Carstar
Carstar: 5% · Christian Brothers Automotive: 50%
More lender financing options
Carstar
Carstar: 72 unique lenders · Christian Brothers Automotive: 44 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
Carstar vs Christian Brothers Automotive: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Carstar and Christian Brothers Automotive is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $150K to $2.5M.
Carstar has 118 SBA loans on record and Christian Brothers Automotive has 319. 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.
Carstar vs Christian Brothers Automotive, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Carstar or Christian Brothers Automotive?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Carstar or Christian Brothers Automotive?
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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