Fibrenew vs Mars
Fibrenew vs Mars: Fibrenew costs $66K to $150K to open; Mars costs $44K to $69K. Fibrenew has 47 units, Mars has 16. SBA loan history: Fibrenew = 54 loans (7.4% default); Mars = 22 loans (27.3% 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.
Fibrenew vs Mars: 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
Mars requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($44K vs $66K for Fibrenew), a 49% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $68K for Fibrenew versus $48K for Mars, Mars has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Fibrenew operates 47 units to Mars's 16, roughly 3× the system size. Mars has been operating 62 years (founded 1964) versus 41 for Fibrenew (founded 1985), a 21-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Fibrenew has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 54 7(a) approvals compared with 22 for Mars. Fibrenew's peak SBA year was 2018 (8 loans); Mars's peak was 2008 (6 loans). Fibrenew's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Fibrenew has the most SBA funded units in IN, with 8. Mars leads in FL, with 3. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Fibrenew deals is $120K vs $55K for Mars, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.4% for Fibrenew and 27.3% for Mars, Fibrenew has the cleaner SBA loss record by 19.9 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 56 (Moderate) for Fibrenew and 23 (Fair) for Mars, giving Fibrenew the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 56/100 | 23/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 54 | 22 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.4% | 27.3% |
Peer Tier | established | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $66K to $150K | $44K to $69K |
Franchise Fee | $68K | $48K |
Royalty Rate | 8% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 5% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 47 | 16 |
Franchised Units | 47 | 16 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1985 | 1964 |
Franchising Since | 2012 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 14 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | CROWN POINT, IN | PENSACOLA, FL |
Category | Automotive Body, Paint, | Automotive Body, Paint, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Fibrenew or Mars?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Fibrenew: $66K starting · Mars: $44K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Fibrenew
Fibrenew: 54 SBA loans · Mars: 22 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Fibrenew
Fibrenew: 7.4% · Mars: 27.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Fibrenew: 47 units · Mars: 16 units
More lender financing options
Fibrenew
Fibrenew: 16 unique lenders · Mars: 14 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
Fibrenew vs Mars: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Fibrenew and Mars is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $44K to $150K.
Fibrenew has 54 SBA loans on record and Mars has 22. 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.
Fibrenew vs Mars, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Fibrenew or Mars?
How much does a Fibrenew franchise cost compared to Mars?
Can I finance Fibrenew or Mars with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Fibrenew or Mars?
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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