Clothes Bin vs Garbageman
Clothes Bin vs Garbageman: Clothes Bin costs $79K to $158K to open; Garbageman costs $187K to $276K. Clothes Bin has 17 units, Garbageman has 5. SBA loan history: Clothes Bin = 20 loans (5.0% default); Garbageman = 7 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.
Clothes Bin vs Garbageman: 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
Clothes Bin requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($79K vs $187K for Garbageman), a 58% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Clothes Bin versus $65K for Garbageman, Clothes Bin has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Clothes Bin operates 17 units to Garbageman's 5, roughly 3× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Clothes Bin has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 20 7(a) approvals compared with 7 for Garbageman. Clothes Bin's peak SBA year was 2018 (8 loans); Garbageman's peak was 2011 (3 loans). Clothes Bin's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Clothes Bin has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 3. Garbageman leads in MN, with 7. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Clothes Bin deals is $134K vs $232K for Garbageman, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 5.0% for Clothes Bin and 0.0% for Garbageman, Garbageman has the cleaner SBA loss record by 5.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 63 (Moderate) for Clothes Bin and 40 (Fair) for Garbageman, giving Clothes Bin the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 63/100 | 40/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 20 | 7 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 5.0% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | emerging |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $79K to $158K | $187K to $276K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $65K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $100K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 17 | 5 |
Franchised Units | 17 | 5 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 2008 |
Franchising Since | 2015 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 11 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | EMERYVILLE, CA | LORETTO, MN |
Category | Solid Waste Collection | Solid Waste Collection |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Clothes Bin or Garbageman?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Clothes Bin: $79K starting · Garbageman: $187K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Clothes Bin
Clothes Bin: 20 SBA loans · Garbageman: 7 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Garbageman
Clothes Bin: 5.0% · Garbageman: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Clothes Bin: 17 units · Garbageman: 5 units
More lender financing options
Clothes Bin
Clothes Bin: 7 unique lenders · Garbageman: 5 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
Clothes Bin vs Garbageman: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Clothes Bin and Garbageman is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $79K to $276K.
Clothes Bin has 20 SBA loans on record and Garbageman has 7. 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.
Clothes Bin vs Garbageman, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Clothes Bin or Garbageman?
How much does a Clothes Bin franchise cost compared to Garbageman?
Can I finance Clothes Bin or Garbageman with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Clothes Bin or Garbageman?
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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