Overhead Door Co. vs Waterstation
Overhead Door Co. vs Waterstation: Overhead Door Co. costs $95K to $925K to open; Waterstation costs $209K to $2.4M. Overhead Door Co. has 7 units, Waterstation has 124. SBA loan history: Overhead Door Co. = 8 loans (0.0% default); Waterstation = 142 loans (1.4% 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.
Overhead Door Co. vs Waterstation: 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
Overhead Door Co. requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($95K vs $209K for Waterstation), a 54% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Waterstation operates 124 units to Overhead Door Co.'s 7, roughly 18× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Waterstation has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 142 7(a) approvals compared with 8 for Overhead Door Co.. Overhead Door Co.'s peak SBA year was 2014 (5 loans); Waterstation's peak was 2020 (56 loans). Waterstation's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Overhead Door Co. has the most SBA funded units in NY, with 3. Waterstation leads in TX, with 20. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Overhead Door Co. deals is $457K vs $814K for Waterstation, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Overhead Door Co. and 1.4% for Waterstation, Overhead Door Co. has the cleaner SBA loss record by 1.4 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 42 (Fair) for Overhead Door Co. and 56 (Moderate) for Waterstation, giving Waterstation the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 42/100 | 56/100 |
Health Tier | Fair | Moderate |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Declining | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 8 | 142 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 1.4% |
Peer Tier | emerging | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $95K to $925K | $209K to $2.4M |
Franchise Fee | N/A | N/A |
Royalty Rate | N/A | 5% |
Ad Fund | N/A | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | $60K |
Net Worth Required | N/A | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 7 | 124 |
Franchised Units | 7 | 124 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | N/A | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1954 | N/A |
Franchising Since | N/A | N/A |
Years Franchising | N/A | N/A |
Headquarters | WHITESBORO, NY | Southlake, TX |
Category | Other Building Equipment Contractors | Other Building Equipment Contractors |
Website | ||
FDD Year | N/A | N/A |
Which Is Better, Overhead Door Co. or Waterstation?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Overhead Door Co.: $95K starting · Waterstation: $209K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Waterstation
Overhead Door Co.: 8 SBA loans · Waterstation: 142 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Overhead Door Co.
Overhead Door Co.: 0.0% · Waterstation: 1.4%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Overhead Door Co.: 7 units · Waterstation: 124 units
More lender financing options
Waterstation
Overhead Door Co.: 6 unique lenders · Waterstation: 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
Overhead Door Co. vs Waterstation: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Overhead Door Co. and Waterstation is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $95K to $2.4M.
Overhead Door Co. has 8 SBA loans on record and Waterstation has 142. 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.
Overhead Door Co. vs Waterstation, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Overhead Door Co. or Waterstation?
How much does a Overhead Door Co. franchise cost compared to Waterstation?
Can I finance Overhead Door Co. or Waterstation with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Overhead Door Co. or Waterstation?
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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