Creative Colors vs ZIEBART
Creative Colors vs ZIEBART: Creative Colors costs $101K to $123K to open; ZIEBART costs $425K to $969K. Creative Colors has 73 units, ZIEBART has 17. SBA loan history: Creative Colors = 12 loans (0.0% default); ZIEBART = 28 loans (7.1% 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.
Creative Colors vs ZIEBART: 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
Creative Colors requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($101K vs $425K for ZIEBART), a 76% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $60K for Creative Colors versus $45K for ZIEBART, ZIEBART has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7.5% for Creative Colors and 8% for ZIEBART, giving Creative Colors the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Creative Colors operates 73 units to ZIEBART's 17, roughly 4× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
ZIEBART has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 28 7(a) approvals compared with 12 for Creative Colors.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Creative Colors and 7.1% for ZIEBART, Creative Colors has the cleaner SBA loss record by 7.1 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 42 (Fair) for Creative Colors and 48 (Fair) for ZIEBART, giving ZIEBART the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 42/100 | 48/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 12 | 28 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 7.1% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $101K to $123K | $425K to $969K |
Franchise Fee | $60K | $45K |
Royalty Rate | 7.5% | 8% |
Ad Fund | 1% | 2% |
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 | 73 | 17 |
Franchised Units | 70 | 17 |
Company Owned | 3 | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1971 |
Franchising Since | 1991 | 2015 |
Years Franchising | 35 yrs | 11 yrs |
Headquarters | MI | N/A |
Category | Automotive Body, Paint, | Automotive Body, Paint, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Creative Colors or ZIEBART?
Lower upfront capital required
Creative Colors
Creative Colors: $101K starting · ZIEBART: $425K starting
More SBA lender confidence
ZIEBART
Creative Colors: 12 SBA loans · ZIEBART: 28 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Creative Colors
Creative Colors: 0.0% · ZIEBART: 7.1%
Larger system & brand presence
Creative Colors
Creative Colors: 73 units · ZIEBART: 17 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Creative Colors
Creative Colors: 7.5% · ZIEBART: 8%
More lender financing options
ZIEBART
Creative Colors: 6 unique lenders · ZIEBART: 12 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
Creative Colors vs ZIEBART: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Creative Colors and ZIEBART is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $101K to $969K.
Creative Colors has 12 SBA loans on record and ZIEBART has 28. 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.
Creative Colors vs ZIEBART, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Creative Colors or ZIEBART?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Creative Colors or ZIEBART?
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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