Closet Factory vs Handyman Matters
Closet Factory vs Handyman Matters: Closet Factory costs $345K to $612K to open; Handyman Matters costs $44K to $192K. Closet Factory has 55 units, Handyman Matters has 17. SBA loan history: Closet Factory = 75 loans (16.0% default); Handyman Matters = 12 loans (16.7% 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.
Closet Factory vs Handyman Matters: 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
Handyman Matters requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($44K vs $345K for Closet Factory), a 683% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $59K for Closet Factory versus $70K for Handyman Matters, Closet Factory has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6.75% for Closet Factory and 6% for Handyman Matters, giving Handyman Matters the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Closet Factory operates 55 units to Handyman Matters's 17, roughly 3× the system size. Closet Factory has been operating 43 years (founded 1983) versus 28 for Handyman Matters (founded 1998), a 15-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Closet Factory has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 75 7(a) approvals compared with 12 for Handyman Matters. Closet Factory's peak SBA year was 2000 (9 loans); Handyman Matters's peak was 2020 (5 loans). Handyman Matters's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Closet Factory has the most SBA funded units in FL, with 6. Handyman Matters leads in TX, with 4. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Closet Factory deals is $416K vs $102K for Handyman Matters, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 16.0% for Closet Factory and 16.7% for Handyman Matters, Closet Factory has the cleaner SBA loss record by 0.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 57 (Moderate) for Closet Factory and 25 (Fair) for Handyman Matters, giving Closet Factory the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 25/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 75 | 12 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 16.0% | 16.7% |
Peer Tier | established | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $345K to $612K | $44K to $192K |
Franchise Fee | $59K | $70K |
Royalty Rate | 6.75% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 15% | 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 | 55 | 17 |
Franchised Units | 55 | 17 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1983 | 1998 |
Franchising Since | 1985 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 41 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Los Angeles, TX | Lakewood, CO |
Category | Other Building Finishing Contractors | Other Building Finishing Contractors |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Closet Factory or Handyman Matters?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Closet Factory: $345K starting · Handyman Matters: $44K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Closet Factory
Closet Factory: 75 SBA loans · Handyman Matters: 12 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Closet Factory
Closet Factory: 16.0% · Handyman Matters: 16.7%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Closet Factory: 55 units · Handyman Matters: 17 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Handyman Matters
Closet Factory: 6.75% · Handyman Matters: 6%
More lender financing options
Closet Factory
Closet Factory: 27 unique lenders · Handyman Matters: 6 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
Closet Factory vs Handyman Matters: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Closet Factory and Handyman Matters is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $44K to $612K.
Closet Factory has 75 SBA loans on record and Handyman Matters has 12. 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.
Closet Factory vs Handyman Matters, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Closet Factory or Handyman Matters?
How much does a Closet Factory franchise cost compared to Handyman Matters?
Can I finance Closet Factory or Handyman Matters with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Closet Factory or Handyman Matters?
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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