Clothes Bin vs Smash My Trash
Clothes Bin vs Smash My Trash: Clothes Bin costs $79K to $158K to open; Smash My Trash costs $100K to $639K. Clothes Bin has 17 units, Smash My Trash has 77. SBA loan history: Clothes Bin = 20 loans (5.0% default); Smash My Trash = 105 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 Smash My Trash: 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 $100K for Smash My Trash), a 21% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $45K for Clothes Bin versus $44K for Smash My Trash, Smash My Trash has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 8% for Clothes Bin and 8% for Smash My Trash, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Smash My Trash operates 77 units to Clothes Bin's 17, roughly 5× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Smash My Trash has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 105 7(a) approvals compared with 20 for Clothes Bin. Clothes Bin's peak SBA year was 2018 (8 loans); Smash My Trash's peak was 2021 (50 loans). Smash My Trash's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Clothes Bin has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 3. Smash My Trash leads in GA, with 13. 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 $373K for Smash My Trash, 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 Smash My Trash, Smash My Trash has the cleaner SBA loss record by 5.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 63 (Moderate) for Clothes Bin and 62 (Moderate) for Smash My Trash, giving Clothes Bin the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 63/100 | 62/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 20 | 105 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 5.0% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $79K to $158K | $100K to $639K |
Franchise Fee | $45K | $44K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | 8% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | $100K | $175K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $500K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 17 | 77 |
Franchised Units | 17 | 77 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 2020 |
Franchising Since | 2015 | 2020 |
Years Franchising | 11 yrs | 6 yrs |
Headquarters | EMERYVILLE, CA | CUMMING, GA |
Category | Solid Waste Collection | Solid Waste Collection |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Clothes Bin or Smash My Trash?
Lower upfront capital required
Clothes Bin
Clothes Bin: $79K starting · Smash My Trash: $100K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Smash My Trash
Clothes Bin: 20 SBA loans · Smash My Trash: 105 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Smash My Trash
Clothes Bin: 5.0% · Smash My Trash: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Smash My Trash
Clothes Bin: 17 units · Smash My Trash: 77 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Clothes Bin: 8% · Smash My Trash: 8%
More lender financing options
Smash My Trash
Clothes Bin: 7 unique lenders · Smash My Trash: 43 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 Smash My Trash: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Clothes Bin and Smash My Trash is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $79K to $639K.
Clothes Bin has 20 SBA loans on record and Smash My Trash has 105. 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 Smash My Trash, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Clothes Bin or Smash My Trash?
How much does a Clothes Bin franchise cost compared to Smash My Trash?
Can I finance Clothes Bin or Smash My Trash with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Clothes Bin or Smash My Trash?
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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