Coolvu vs Gatsby Glass
Coolvu vs Gatsby Glass: Coolvu costs $99K to $150K to open; Gatsby Glass costs $196K to $256K. Coolvu has 16 units, Gatsby Glass has 94. SBA loan history: Coolvu = 16 loans (0.0% default); Gatsby Glass = 45 loans (4.4% 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.
Coolvu vs Gatsby Glass: 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
Coolvu requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($99K vs $196K for Gatsby Glass), a 49% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $20K for Coolvu versus $60K for Gatsby Glass, Coolvu has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Coolvu and 5% for Gatsby Glass, giving Gatsby Glass the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Gatsby Glass operates 94 units to Coolvu's 16, roughly 6× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Gatsby Glass has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 45 7(a) approvals compared with 16 for Coolvu. Coolvu's peak SBA year was 2025 (6 loans); Gatsby Glass's peak was 2023 (19 loans). Coolvu's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Coolvu has the most SBA funded units in FL, with 3. Gatsby Glass leads in TX, 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 Coolvu deals is $138K vs $296K for Gatsby Glass, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Coolvu and 4.4% for Gatsby Glass, Coolvu has the cleaner SBA loss record by 4.4 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 68 (Strong) for Coolvu and 66 (Strong) for Gatsby Glass, giving Coolvu the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 68/100 | 66/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Strong |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | N/A | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 16 | 45 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 4.4% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $99K to $150K | $196K to $256K |
Franchise Fee | $20K | $60K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 3% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 16 | 94 |
Franchised Units | 16 | 94 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2018 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2020 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 6 yrs |
Headquarters | NC | TX |
Category | Glass | Glass |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Coolvu or Gatsby Glass?
Lower upfront capital required
Coolvu
Coolvu: $99K starting · Gatsby Glass: $196K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Gatsby Glass
Coolvu: 16 SBA loans · Gatsby Glass: 45 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Coolvu
Coolvu: 0.0% · Gatsby Glass: 4.4%
Larger system & brand presence
Gatsby Glass
Coolvu: 16 units · Gatsby Glass: 94 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Gatsby Glass
Coolvu: 6% · Gatsby Glass: 5%
More lender financing options
Gatsby Glass
Coolvu: 2 unique lenders · Gatsby Glass: 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.
Need Funding for Coolvu or Gatsby Glass?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Coolvu vs Gatsby Glass: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Coolvu and Gatsby Glass is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $99K to $256K.
Coolvu has 16 SBA loans on record and Gatsby Glass has 45. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. There is not enough recent lending activity on record to judge current appetite for at least one of these brands, so it has to be checked deal by deal.
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.
Coolvu vs Gatsby Glass, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Coolvu or Gatsby Glass?
How much does a Coolvu franchise cost compared to Gatsby Glass?
Can I finance Coolvu or Gatsby Glass with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Coolvu or Gatsby Glass?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
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