NAPA Auto Parts vs Ziebart Rustproofing
NAPA Auto Parts vs Ziebart Rustproofing: NAPA Auto Parts costs $75K to $850K to open; Ziebart Rustproofing costs $52K to $238K. NAPA Auto Parts has 215 units, Ziebart Rustproofing has 14. SBA loan history: NAPA Auto Parts = 193 loans (6.7% default); Ziebart Rustproofing = 24 loans (37.5% 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.
NAPA Auto Parts vs Ziebart Rustproofing: 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
Ziebart Rustproofing requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($52K vs $75K for NAPA Auto Parts), a 46% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, NAPA Auto Parts operates 215 units to Ziebart Rustproofing's 14, roughly 15× the system size. NAPA Auto Parts has been operating 101 years (founded 1925) versus 67 for Ziebart Rustproofing (founded 1959), a 34-year tenure gap that affects unit-economics maturity and FDD revision history.
SBA Lending Profile
NAPA Auto Parts has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 193 7(a) approvals compared with 24 for Ziebart Rustproofing. NAPA Auto Parts's peak SBA year was 2014 (23 loans); Ziebart Rustproofing's peak was 1995 (6 loans). NAPA Auto Parts's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. NAPA Auto Parts has the most SBA funded units in MN, with 29. Ziebart Rustproofing leads in OH, 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 NAPA Auto Parts deals is $342K vs $129K for Ziebart Rustproofing, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 6.7% for NAPA Auto Parts and 37.5% for Ziebart Rustproofing, NAPA Auto Parts has the cleaner SBA loss record by 30.8 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 43 (Fair) for NAPA Auto Parts and 36 (Fair) for Ziebart Rustproofing, giving NAPA Auto Parts the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 43/100 | 36/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Fair |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | N/A |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 193 | 24 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 6.7% | 37.5% |
Peer Tier | major | growing |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $75K to $850K | $52K to $238K |
Franchise Fee | N/A | $54K |
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 | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 215 | 14 |
Franchised Units | 215 | 14 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | 10 yrs |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1925 | 1959 |
Franchising Since | 1936 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 90 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | Atlanta, GA | BOARDMAN, OH |
Category | Automotive Parts | Automotive Parts |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, NAPA Auto Parts or Ziebart Rustproofing?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
NAPA Auto Parts: $75K starting · Ziebart Rustproofing: $52K starting
More SBA lender confidence
NAPA Auto Parts
NAPA Auto Parts: 193 SBA loans · Ziebart Rustproofing: 24 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
NAPA Auto Parts
NAPA Auto Parts: 6.7% · Ziebart Rustproofing: 37.5%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
NAPA Auto Parts: 215 units · Ziebart Rustproofing: 14 units
More lender financing options
NAPA Auto Parts
NAPA Auto Parts: 131 unique lenders · Ziebart Rustproofing: 21 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
NAPA Auto Parts vs Ziebart Rustproofing: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing NAPA Auto Parts and Ziebart Rustproofing is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $52K to $850K.
NAPA Auto Parts has 193 SBA loans on record and Ziebart Rustproofing has 24. 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.
NAPA Auto Parts vs Ziebart Rustproofing, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, NAPA Auto Parts or Ziebart Rustproofing?
How much does a NAPA Auto Parts franchise cost compared to Ziebart Rustproofing?
Can I finance NAPA Auto Parts or Ziebart Rustproofing with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, NAPA Auto Parts or Ziebart Rustproofing?
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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; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and 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