Glass Doctor vs Turbo Tint
Glass Doctor vs Turbo Tint: Glass Doctor costs $153K to $308K to open; Turbo Tint costs $296K to $415K. Glass Doctor has 79 units, Turbo Tint has 12. SBA loan history: Glass Doctor = 118 loans (17.8% default); Turbo Tint = 16 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.
Glass Doctor vs Turbo Tint: 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
Glass Doctor requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($153K vs $296K for Turbo Tint), a 48% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $30K for Glass Doctor versus $400K for Turbo Tint, Glass Doctor has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 7% for Glass Doctor and 7% for Turbo Tint, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Glass Doctor operates 79 units to Turbo Tint's 12, roughly 7× the system size. Glass Doctor has been operating 64 years (founded 1962) versus 21 for Turbo Tint (founded 2005), a 43-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Glass Doctor has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 118 7(a) approvals compared with 16 for Turbo Tint.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 17.8% for Glass Doctor and 0.0% for Turbo Tint, Turbo Tint has the cleaner SBA loss record by 17.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 68 (Strong) for Glass Doctor and 81 (Excellent) for Turbo Tint, giving Turbo Tint the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 68/100 | 81/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Excellent |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Growing | Surging |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 118 | 16 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 17.8% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | major | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $153K to $308K | $296K to $415K |
Franchise Fee | $30K | $400K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | 7% |
Ad Fund | 4% | 1% |
Liquid Capital | $50K | $75K |
Net Worth Required | $250K | $400K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 79 | 12 |
Franchised Units | 79 | 12 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1962 | 2005 |
Franchising Since | 1978 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 48 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Waco, TX | Midlothian, IL |
Category | Automotive Glass Replacement Shops | Automotive Glass Replacement Shops |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Glass Doctor or Turbo Tint?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Glass Doctor: $153K starting · Turbo Tint: $296K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Glass Doctor
Glass Doctor: 118 SBA loans · Turbo Tint: 16 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Turbo Tint
Glass Doctor: 17.8% · Turbo Tint: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Glass Doctor: 79 units · Turbo Tint: 12 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Glass Doctor: 7% · Turbo Tint: 7%
More lender financing options
Glass Doctor
Glass Doctor: 61 unique lenders · Turbo Tint: 4 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
Glass Doctor vs Turbo Tint: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Glass Doctor and Turbo Tint is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $153K to $415K.
Glass Doctor has 118 SBA loans on record and Turbo Tint has 16. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Both brands have an established underwriting path, though the lender that fits a specific deal still depends on its size, location and the buyer.
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.
Glass Doctor vs Turbo Tint, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Glass Doctor or Turbo Tint?
How much does a Glass Doctor franchise cost compared to Turbo Tint?
Can I finance Glass Doctor or Turbo Tint with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Glass Doctor or Turbo Tint?
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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