Knockouts vs Vs Barbershop
Knockouts vs Vs Barbershop: Knockouts costs $120K to $292K to open; Vs Barbershop costs $163K to $369K. Knockouts has 9 units, Vs Barbershop has 10. SBA loan history: Knockouts = 13 loans (0.0% default); Vs Barbershop = 10 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.
Knockouts vs Vs Barbershop: 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
Knockouts requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($120K vs $163K for Vs Barbershop), a 27% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $40K for Knockouts versus $40K for Vs Barbershop, Knockouts has the lower entry fee. Ongoing royalty load is 6% for Knockouts and 6% for Vs Barbershop, equal royalty drag.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Vs Barbershop operates 10 units to Knockouts's 9. Knockouts has been operating 24 years (founded 2002) versus 21 for Vs Barbershop (founded 2005), a 3-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Knockouts has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 13 7(a) approvals compared with 10 for Vs Barbershop. Knockouts's peak SBA year was 2023 (3 loans); Vs Barbershop's peak was 2018 (3 loans). Knockouts's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Knockouts has the most SBA funded units in IN, with 5. Vs Barbershop leads in TX, with 2. 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 $272K for Vs Barbershop, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Knockouts and 0.0% for Vs Barbershop. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 57 (Moderate) for Knockouts and 55 (Moderate) for Vs Barbershop, giving Knockouts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 57/100 | 55/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 13 | 10 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Peer Tier | growing | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $120K to $292K | $163K to $369K |
Franchise Fee | $40K | $40K |
Royalty Rate | 6% | 6% |
Ad Fund | 2% | 3% |
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 | 9 | 10 |
Franchised Units | 9 | 10 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 10 yrs | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 2002 | 2005 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2024 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 2 yrs |
Headquarters | Avon, IN | Phoenix, AZ |
Category | Barber Shops | Barber Shops |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2026 |
Which Is Better, Knockouts or Vs Barbershop?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Knockouts: $120K starting · Vs Barbershop: $163K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Knockouts
Knockouts: 13 SBA loans · Vs Barbershop: 10 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Tie
Knockouts: 0.0% · Vs Barbershop: 0.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Knockouts: 9 units · Vs Barbershop: 10 units
Lower ongoing royalty load
Tie
Knockouts: 6% · Vs Barbershop: 6%
More lender financing options
Vs Barbershop
Knockouts: 4 unique lenders · Vs Barbershop: 7 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
Knockouts vs Vs Barbershop: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Knockouts and Vs Barbershop is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $120K to $369K.
Knockouts has 13 SBA loans on record and Vs Barbershop has 10. 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 Vs Barbershop, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Knockouts or Vs Barbershop?
How much does a Knockouts franchise cost compared to Vs Barbershop?
Can I finance Knockouts or Vs Barbershop with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Knockouts or Vs Barbershop?
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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