Fix Auto vs Mars
Fix Auto vs Mars: Fix Auto costs $55K to $3.1M to open; Mars costs $44K to $69K. Fix Auto has 212 units, Mars has 16. SBA loan history: Fix Auto = 35 loans (0.0% 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.
Fix Auto 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 $55K for Fix Auto), a 26% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $10K for Fix Auto versus $48K for Mars, Fix Auto has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Fix Auto operates 212 units to Mars's 16, roughly 13× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Fix Auto has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 35 7(a) approvals compared with 22 for Mars. Fix Auto's peak SBA year was 2020 (6 loans); Mars's peak was 2008 (6 loans). Fix Auto's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Fix Auto has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 28. 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 Fix Auto deals is $1.3M vs $55K for Mars, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Fix Auto and 27.3% for Mars, Fix Auto has the cleaner SBA loss record by 27.3 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 75 (Strong) for Fix Auto and 23 (Fair) for Mars, giving Fix Auto the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 75/100 | 23/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Growing | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 35 | 22 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 27.3% |
Peer Tier | established | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $55K to $3.1M | $44K to $69K |
Franchise Fee | $10K | $48K |
Royalty Rate | 3% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 0.75% | 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 | 212 | 16 |
Franchised Units | 212 | 16 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | 1964 |
Franchising Since | 2010 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 16 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Escondido, CA | PENSACOLA, FL |
Category | Automotive Body, Paint, | Automotive Body, Paint, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Fix Auto or Mars?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Fix Auto: $55K starting · Mars: $44K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Fix Auto
Fix Auto: 35 SBA loans · Mars: 22 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Fix Auto
Fix Auto: 0.0% · Mars: 27.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Fix Auto: 212 units · Mars: 16 units
More lender financing options
Fix Auto
Fix Auto: 15 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
Fix Auto vs Mars: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Fix Auto 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 $3.1M.
Fix Auto has 35 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.
Fix Auto vs Mars, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Fix Auto or Mars?
How much does a Fix Auto franchise cost compared to Mars?
Can I finance Fix Auto or Mars with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Fix Auto 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