Cottman Transmission vs Econo Lub N Tune
Cottman Transmission vs Econo Lub N Tune: Cottman Transmission costs $51K to $190K to open; Econo Lub N Tune costs $26K to $371K. Cottman Transmission has 177 units, Econo Lub N Tune has 58. SBA loan history: Cottman Transmission = 281 loans (32.0% default); Econo Lub N Tune = 80 loans (31.3% 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.
Cottman Transmission vs Econo Lub N Tune: 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
Econo Lub N Tune requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($26K vs $51K for Cottman Transmission), a 97% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $70K for Cottman Transmission versus $30K for Econo Lub N Tune, Econo Lub N Tune has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7.5% for Cottman Transmission and 5% for Econo Lub N Tune, giving Econo Lub N Tune the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Cottman Transmission operates 177 units to Econo Lub N Tune's 58, roughly 3× the system size. Cottman Transmission has been operating 64 years (founded 1962) versus 53 for Econo Lub N Tune (founded 1973), a 11-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Cottman Transmission has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 281 7(a) approvals compared with 80 for Econo Lub N Tune. Cottman Transmission's peak SBA year was 2002 (42 loans); Econo Lub N Tune's peak was 1996 (9 loans). Cottman Transmission's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Cottman Transmission has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 44. Econo Lub N Tune leads in CA, with 40. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Cottman Transmission deals is $154K vs $168K for Econo Lub N Tune, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 32.0% for Cottman Transmission and 31.3% for Econo Lub N Tune, Econo Lub N Tune has the cleaner SBA loss record by 0.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 24 (Fair) for Cottman Transmission and 21 (Fair) for Econo Lub N Tune, giving Cottman Transmission the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 24/100 | 21/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 281 | 80 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 32.0% | 31.3% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $51K to $190K | $26K to $371K |
Franchise Fee | $70K | $30K |
Royalty Rate | 7.5% | 5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 177 | 58 |
Franchised Units | 177 | 58 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1962 | 1973 |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | HOUSTON, TX | ANTIOCH, CA |
Category | Automotive Oil Change | Automotive Oil Change |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Cottman Transmission or Econo Lub N Tune?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Cottman Transmission: $51K starting · Econo Lub N Tune: $26K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Cottman Transmission
Cottman Transmission: 281 SBA loans · Econo Lub N Tune: 80 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Econo Lub N Tune
Cottman Transmission: 32.0% · Econo Lub N Tune: 31.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Cottman Transmission: 177 units · Econo Lub N Tune: 58 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Econo Lub N Tune
Cottman Transmission: 7.5% · Econo Lub N Tune: 5%
More lender financing options
Cottman Transmission
Cottman Transmission: 88 unique lenders · Econo Lub N Tune: 38 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
Cottman Transmission vs Econo Lub N Tune: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Cottman Transmission and Econo Lub N Tune is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $26K to $371K.
Cottman Transmission has 281 SBA loans on record and Econo Lub N Tune has 80. 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.
Cottman Transmission vs Econo Lub N Tune, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Cottman Transmission or Econo Lub N Tune?
How much does a Cottman Transmission franchise cost compared to Econo Lub N Tune?
Can I finance Cottman Transmission or Econo Lub N Tune with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Cottman Transmission or Econo Lub N Tune?
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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