Cottman Transmission vs Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub
Cottman Transmission vs Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub: Cottman Transmission costs $51K to $190K to open; Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub costs $51K to $655K. Cottman Transmission has 177 units, Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub has 30. SBA loan history: Cottman Transmission = 281 loans (32.0% default); Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub = 32 loans (6.3% 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 Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub: 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
Cottman Transmission requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($51K vs $51K for Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub), a 0% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $70K for Cottman Transmission versus $50K for Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub, Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Cottman Transmission operates 177 units to Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub's 30, roughly 6× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Cottman Transmission has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 281 7(a) approvals compared with 32 for Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub. Cottman Transmission's peak SBA year was 2002 (42 loans); Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub's peak was 1995 (5 loans). Cottman Transmission's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Cottman Transmission has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 44. Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub leads in GA, 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 Cottman Transmission deals is $154K vs $330K for Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 32.0% for Cottman Transmission and 6.3% for Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub, Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub has the cleaner SBA loss record by 25.7 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 24 (Fair) for Cottman Transmission and 38 (Fair) for Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub, giving Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 24/100 | 38/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 281 | 32 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 32.0% | 6.3% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $51K to $190K | $51K to $655K |
Franchise Fee | $70K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | 7.5% | N/A |
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 | 30 |
Franchised Units | 177 | 30 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1962 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | HOUSTON, TX | COBB COUNTY CENTER, GA |
Category | Automotive Oil Change | Automotive Oil Change |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Cottman Transmission or Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Cottman Transmission: $51K starting · Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub: $51K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Cottman Transmission
Cottman Transmission: 281 SBA loans · Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub: 32 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub
Cottman Transmission: 32.0% · Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub: 6.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Cottman Transmission: 177 units · Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub: 30 units
More lender financing options
Cottman Transmission
Cottman Transmission: 88 unique lenders · Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub: 25 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 Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Cottman Transmission and Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $51K to $655K.
Cottman Transmission has 281 SBA loans on record and Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub has 32. 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 Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Cottman Transmission or Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub?
How much does a Cottman Transmission franchise cost compared to Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub?
Can I finance Cottman Transmission or Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Cottman Transmission or Texaco Express Lube & Star Lub?
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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