Maaco vs Mars
Maaco vs Mars: Maaco costs $100K to $1.4M to open; Mars costs $44K to $69K. Maaco has 467 units, Mars has 16. SBA loan history: Maaco = 608 loans (12.5% 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.
Maaco 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 $100K for Maaco), a 128% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $47K for Maaco versus $48K for Mars, Maaco has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Maaco operates 467 units to Mars's 16, roughly 29× the system size. Mars has been operating 62 years (founded 1964) versus 54 for Maaco (founded 1972), a 8-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
Maaco has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 608 7(a) approvals compared with 22 for Mars. Maaco's peak SBA year was 1997 (46 loans); Mars's peak was 2008 (6 loans). Mars's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Maaco has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 69. 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 Maaco deals is $370K vs $55K for Mars, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 12.5% for Maaco and 27.3% for Mars, Maaco has the cleaner SBA loss record by 14.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 52 (Moderate) for Maaco and 23 (Fair) for Mars, giving Maaco the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 52/100 | 23/100 |
Health Tier | Moderate | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 608 | 22 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 12.5% | 27.3% |
Peer Tier | major | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $100K to $1.4M | $44K to $69K |
Franchise Fee | $47K | $48K |
Royalty Rate | 4% | N/A |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | $150K | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 467 | 16 |
Franchised Units | 467 | 16 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Maaco or Mars?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Maaco: $100K starting · Mars: $44K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Maaco
Maaco: 608 SBA loans · Mars: 22 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Maaco
Maaco: 12.5% · Mars: 27.3%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Maaco: 467 units · Mars: 16 units
More lender financing options
Maaco
Maaco: 188 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
Maaco vs Mars: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Maaco 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 $1.4M.
Maaco has 608 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.
Maaco vs Mars, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Maaco 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