Floor Covering International vs Garage Experts
Floor Covering International vs Garage Experts: Floor Covering International costs $19K to $101K to open; Garage Experts costs $25K to $1.0M. Floor Covering International has 16 units, Garage Experts has 10. SBA loan history: Floor Covering International = 20 loans (20.0% default); Garage Experts = 11 loans (0.0% 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.
Floor Covering International vs Garage Experts: 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
Floor Covering International requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($19K vs $25K for Garage Experts), a 24% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $20K for Floor Covering International versus $50K for Garage Experts, Floor Covering International has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Floor Covering International operates 16 units to Garage Experts's 10.
SBA Lending Profile
Floor Covering International has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 20 7(a) approvals compared with 11 for Garage Experts. Floor Covering International's peak SBA year was 1995 (7 loans); Garage Experts's peak was 2018 (3 loans). Garage Experts's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Floor Covering International has the most SBA funded units in TX, with 3. Garage Experts 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 Floor Covering International deals is $57K vs $382K for Garage Experts, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 20.0% for Floor Covering International and 0.0% for Garage Experts, Garage Experts has the cleaner SBA loss record by 20.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 26 (Fair) for Floor Covering International and 54 (Moderate) for Garage Experts, giving Garage Experts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 26/100 | 54/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 20 | 11 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 20.0% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $19K to $101K | $25K to $1.0M |
Franchise Fee | $20K | $50K |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 8% |
Ad Fund | N/A | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 16 | 10 |
Franchised Units | 16 | 10 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | N/A | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2008 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 18 yrs |
Headquarters | DALLLAS, TX | JACKSONVILLE, FL |
Category | Flooring Contractors | Flooring Contractors |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Floor Covering International or Garage Experts?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Floor Covering International: $19K starting · Garage Experts: $25K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Floor Covering International
Floor Covering International: 20 SBA loans · Garage Experts: 11 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Garage Experts
Floor Covering International: 20.0% · Garage Experts: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Floor Covering International: 16 units · Garage Experts: 10 units
More lender financing options
Floor Covering International
Floor Covering International: 18 unique lenders · Garage Experts: 9 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
Floor Covering International vs Garage Experts: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Floor Covering International and Garage Experts is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $19K to $1.0M.
Floor Covering International has 20 SBA loans on record and Garage Experts has 11. 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.
Floor Covering International vs Garage Experts, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Floor Covering International or Garage Experts?
How much does a Floor Covering International franchise cost compared to Garage Experts?
Can I finance Floor Covering International or Garage Experts with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Floor Covering International or Garage Experts?
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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