Mars vs ZIEBART
Mars vs ZIEBART: Mars costs $44K to $69K to open; ZIEBART costs $425K to $969K. Mars has 16 units, ZIEBART has 17. SBA loan history: Mars = 22 loans (27.3% default); ZIEBART = 28 loans (7.1% 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.
Mars vs ZIEBART: 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 $425K for ZIEBART), a 90% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $48K for Mars versus $45K for ZIEBART, ZIEBART has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, ZIEBART operates 17 units to Mars's 16. Mars has been operating 62 years (founded 1964) versus 55 for ZIEBART (founded 1971), a 7-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
ZIEBART has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 28 7(a) approvals compared with 22 for Mars.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 27.3% for Mars and 7.1% for ZIEBART, ZIEBART has the cleaner SBA loss record by 20.2 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 23 (Fair) for Mars and 48 (Fair) for ZIEBART, giving ZIEBART the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 23/100 | 48/100 |
Health Tier | Limited | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 22 | 28 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 27.3% | 7.1% |
Peer Tier | growing | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $44K to $69K | $425K to $969K |
Franchise Fee | $48K | $45K |
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 | 17 |
Franchised Units | 16 | 17 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1964 | 1971 |
Franchising Since | N/A | 2015 |
Years Franchising | N/A | 11 yrs |
Headquarters | PENSACOLA, FL | N/A |
Category | Automotive Body, Paint, | Automotive Body, Paint, |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | 2025 |
Which Is Better, Mars or ZIEBART?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Mars: $44K starting · ZIEBART: $425K starting
More SBA lender confidence
ZIEBART
Mars: 22 SBA loans · ZIEBART: 28 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
ZIEBART
Mars: 27.3% · ZIEBART: 7.1%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Mars: 16 units · ZIEBART: 17 units
More lender financing options
Mars
Mars: 14 unique lenders · ZIEBART: 12 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
Mars vs ZIEBART: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Mars and ZIEBART is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $44K to $969K.
Mars has 22 SBA loans on record and ZIEBART has 28. 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.
Mars vs ZIEBART, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Mars or ZIEBART?
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Which has a lower SBA default rate, Mars or ZIEBART?
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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