Knockouts vs Supercuts
Knockouts vs Supercuts: Knockouts costs $120K to $292K to open; Supercuts costs $68K to $182K. Knockouts has 9 units, Supercuts has 237. SBA loan history: Knockouts = 13 loans (0.0% default); Supercuts = 283 loans (2.5% 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.
Knockouts vs Supercuts: 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
Supercuts requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($68K vs $120K for Knockouts), a 76% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $40K for Knockouts versus $40K for Supercuts. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Knockouts and 4% for Supercuts, giving Supercuts the lighter per-unit drag on operating income.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Supercuts operates 237 units to Knockouts's 9, roughly 26× the system size. Supercuts has been operating 51 years (founded 1975) versus 24 for Knockouts (founded 2002), a 27-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Supercuts has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 283 7(a) approvals compared with 13 for Knockouts. Knockouts's peak SBA year was 2023 (3 loans); Supercuts's peak was 2019 (59 loans). Knockouts's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Knockouts has the most SBA funded units in IN, with 5. Supercuts leads in TX, with 45. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Knockouts deals is $194K vs $282K for Supercuts, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Knockouts and 2.5% for Supercuts, Knockouts has the cleaner SBA loss record by 2.5 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 57 (Moderate) for Knockouts and 60 (Moderate) for Supercuts, giving Supercuts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 60/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 13 | 283 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 2.5% |
Peer Tier | growing | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $120K to $292K | $68K to $182K |
Franchise Fee | $40K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 4% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 2% |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $80K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $500K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 9 | 237 |
Franchised Units | 9 | 237 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 5 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2002 | 1975 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 1960 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | Avon, IN | HOUSTON, TX |
Category | Barber Shops | Barber Shops |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Knockouts or Supercuts?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Knockouts: $120K starting · Supercuts: $68K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Supercuts
Knockouts: 13 SBA loans · Supercuts: 283 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Knockouts
Knockouts: 0.0% · Supercuts: 2.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Knockouts: 9 units · Supercuts: 237 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Supercuts
Knockouts: 6% · Supercuts: 4%
More lender financing options
Supercuts
Knockouts: 4 unique lenders · Supercuts: 64 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.
Need Funding for Knockouts or Supercuts?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Knockouts vs Supercuts: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Knockouts and Supercuts is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $68K to $292K.
Knockouts has 13 SBA loans on record and Supercuts has 283. 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.
Knockouts vs Supercuts, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Knockouts or Supercuts?
How much does a Knockouts franchise cost compared to Supercuts?
Can I finance Knockouts or Supercuts with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Knockouts or Supercuts?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
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